China's National Day -or the People's Republic of China (PRC)'s National Day is a festival of great importance to the people nationwide, and the Chinese celebrate it joyously. In the early morning, numerous people arrive at Tiananmen Square in Beijing to see the ceremonial raising of the national flag. This is followed by an honourable review of troops on the Tiananmen Square, and various festive activities held in different regions. As the evening approaches, fireworks are set off to illuminate the sky brightly and gallantly.
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| http://pic2.ooopic.com/10/33/73/79bOOOPIC4a.jpg PRC's 62nd anniversary |
In the past, this day was marked by large political gatherings and speeches, military parades, and state banquets, but in recent years, the celebrations has gradually become less formal. During the National Party Plenum meeting in May 1999, the Chinese government decided that the three days designated for the celebration of National Day should be combined with two weekends on either side, thus giving people a seven-day vacation. Because of this change, many Chinese people regard National Day as one of the "Golden Weeks" of the year ( the other one being the week during the Chinese Lunar New Year), where they are given time off work to go travelling, to visit relatives, or to go sight-seeing some long-cherished attractions.
History
At three o'clock on October 1st in 1949, the Chinese people, under the leadership of Communist Party of China, declared victory in War of Liberation against the Nationalist forces of Chiang Kai Shek. The grand ceremony for the founding of PRC was held on this day in Tiananmen Square in Beijing . Mao Zedong, Chairman of the Central People's Government, solemnly declared the founding of PRC. at the ceremony and raised the first five-star national flag of China himself. 300,000 soldiers and people gathered on the square for the grand parade and procession.
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| http://www.danwei.org/Mao_1949.jpg Chairman Mao giving a speech to mark the birth of the PRC |
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| http://english.eastday.com/eastday/english2009/picshow/show8/1949NationalDay/images/01515518.jpg Grand Founding Ceremony at Tiananmen Square |
Celebrations
The National Day Parade
The National Day Parade was designated by the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC - a political advisory body), as an important component of the grand ceremony for the founding of PRC. From 1949 to 1959, national parades were held on October 1st each year. However, there were no national parades held for the next 24 years. It was not until 1984 that the national parade was resumed by the then Central People's Government at the urging of Comrade Deng Xiaoping on the 35th National Day of the PRC. Since that time, when the anniversary is a multiple of five (e.g. the 50th, 55th, or 60th), large scale state functions may be held such as the inspection of troops in Tiananmen Square. So, there will be a Grand National Day Parade in 2014 for celebrating the 65th anniversary of the funding of PRC.
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| http://inapcache.boston.com/universal/site_graphics/blogs/bigpicture/china60_10_01/c01_20572561.jpg National Parade 2009 |
Ceremonial National Flag-raising
An honourable occasion held with the Regional chief executive, officials, uniformed groups, community groups, performers, and the general public. This is usually accompanied by the raising of the Regional flag (if applicable, e.g. in Hong Kong or Macau), and the singing of the National anthem.
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| http://www.beijingfeeling.com/images/2011/02/beijing-morning-tour2.gif |
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| http://i.cdn.cnngo.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/inline_image_240x240/2011/09/26/flag_0.jpg |
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| http://p4.img.cctvpic.com/program/newshour/20111001/images/1317455376511_1317455376511_r.jpg crowds awaiting flag-raising |
On-Stage
Song and dance performances, sound and light displays and military parades are heldin different regions throughout the day. Featuring the theme of "love", the shows in Hong Kong started at 7 p.m., with local pop singers William So, Kelly Chan, People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison, and various performing arts groups presenting a series of music and dance before the audience.
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| http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-10/02/131171554_51n.jpg Donald Tsang, chief executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, addresses a performance in Hong Kong |
Hanging Red Chinese Lanterns
During China's National Day, red lanterns are seen everywhere, especially hanging at the gates of government office buildings as well as all kinds of stores and shops. The red lantern is a symbol of festivity, luck and happiness.
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| http://images2.sina.com/english/china/p/2009/0922/U135P200T1D272383F12DT20090922062934.jpg Changsha |
National Day Concert
National Day Concerts are usually held primarily in big cities at this time also. This year, the Modern Sky Music Festival will be held in Beijing's Haidian Park between October 3rd to the 5th. It is packed with fans eager to catch well-known international acts and local bands, and shows how huge the Chinese indie music scene is right now. The three-day festival is organised by Chinese independent music label Modern Sky who present a varied line up across four different stages. First day picks might be Scottish band Camera Obscura on the Modern Stage, or the thrash-dance music of Beijing's Liman on the Electronic Stage. The second day offers the chance to see the Suede singer Brett Anderson or hear Re-TROS, a post-punk band considered to be one of the best groups in China. The final day has more fantastic Chinese music with the Beijing rock-group Hedgehog. 3-day passes cost RMB300, concessions RMB180; and 1-day passes cost RMB80, concessions RMB90.
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| http://www.echinacities.com/userfiles/2011-Year/9-Month/16-Day/beijing.jpg Modern Sky Music Festival 2011 |
In Shanghai, an international music and fireworks show is staged in Pudong's Century Park. The city also hosts a brunch-time National Day Concert at the striking petal-shaped Shanghai Oriental Art Center, also in Pudong.
The Flower Bed in Tiananmen Square
The National Day Flower Bed festival is found in the main squares of many cities during National Day. The Flower Bed in Tiananmen Square is considered the grandest and most beautiful. The highlight of the Tiananmen Square Flower Bed this National Day is the new scarlet lantern modelling flower-bed, standing erect upon the various flowers and plants, creating beautiful patterns. It reaches 50 meters in diameter and 15.2 meters in height. At night time, the gigantic lantern is lit up, adding passion to the festive atmosphere. 
Fireworks Show
Fireworks displays are usually held nationwide in all cities during China's National Day, one of the grandest and most famous being the Hong Kong National Day Fireworks Display, held since 1997 in Victoria Harbour.
This year, a spectacular fireworks display was sponsored by the Hong Kong Federation of Fujian Associations and coordinated by the city's Home Affairs Bureau. At 9 pm, a total of 31,888 firing shells were discharged in the 23-minute display, lighting up the Victoria Harbor. The display consists of nine scenes of different themes. The first scene feature colorful fireworks of smiling faces and the Chinese characters for "China, October 1" to celebrate National Day. It reached the climax in the last scene with fast and rhythmic firing of shells for 52 seconds in colors of red, yellow, green and purple.
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Shopping
This Golden Week is also a very good time to go shopping ! After October 1st, almost everywhere, from shops and restaurants to the post office, will be open for business, and almost all department stores, supermarkets, and small shops will feature sales and discounts.
Beijing's Wangfujing shopping street will be packed with people attending gold and jewelry sales, while Shenzhen's mega malls offer myriad bargains for holiday shoppers. Guangzhou's famous Shangxia Jiu Pedestrian Street is great both for shopping and people-watching, with more than 200 shops and extended opening hours.
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| http://www.chinatourguide.com/china_photos/Guangzhou/shopping/shangxiajiu.jpg Guangzhou Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street |
Travelling
Many Chinese people like to enjoy this week-long holiday by taking a short excursion or long distance family visit, travelling domestically and internationally. The result is that many famous destinations become very crowded. Major tourist destinations of China, such as Beijing and Shanghai, become crowded, with over two-thirds of all hotel beds booked to the brim. Travel fares double or triple, and advance bookings on airline tickets, train tickets, long distance bus tickets as well as hotel rooms should be made weeks, even months ahead.
One should also beware of pick-pocketing, especially on public buses, supermarkets and tourism regions.
- http://gochina.about.com/od/eventsfestivals/a/NationalDay.htm
- http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-10/02/c_131171554.htm
- http://www.chilicity.com/cgi-bin/bigate.cgi/b/x/g/http@66.163.168.225/babelfish/translate_url_content?.intl=us&lp=zh_en&trurl=http%253a%252f%252fwww.chilicity.com%252fpublishhtml%252f33%252f2011-09-30%252f20110930123139.html
- http://www.chinatravel.com/facts/china-overview/china-national-day/
- http://www.klm.com/destinationguide/gb_en/airline-ticket/asia/central-asia/china/beijing/events.htm
- http://www.travelchinaguide.com/essential/public-holiday.htm
- http://www.tvinx.com/agoda_com_celebrates_chinas_national_day_golden_week.news.7233.en
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