Shanghaiist: This is why they build walls around cities

Rick Vaughn

Fri, 30 Sep 2005 10:14:59 +0800

Alternately, you can escape the tourist crowds by going to North Korea. The Mass Games are going on, and American passport holders are being let in (in tour groups) for the first time since forever. Stops include the DMZ, and the USS Pueblo. Contact www.koryogroup.com for more info. If this sounds like an ad, it's not. I wish I could go myself, but don't have the money. I'm hoping whoever does go can tell me about their experiences over some jigae or nangmyun.

Woolf

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 17:39:03 +0800

What Brad said. And although you never know whether you will have to work the weekend before or the weekend after, you can assume based on when the actual holiday day falls on. For example, since 10/1 the actual "National Day day" is on a Saturday, figure you will not have to work the 10/1 weekend because that is the real deal and they wouldn't make you work on National Day itself. Of course, I guess they could make you work on the 9/23 weekend, but that is illogical, and there is nothing illogical ever going on here.

Brad

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 14:09:30 +0800

While the government never announces the official holiday schedule until the last minute, it's a pretty safe bet that National Day will be from 10/1-7 and Labor Day will be from 5/1-7 (except during SARS). What's not known is whether you'll have to work the weekend before or the one after.

Paxil

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 14:05:42 +0800

No need to hole up at home, Danny boy! For National Holiday, occurring amidst Shanghai's best weather, why not grab a beer and an inflatable hammer and go bash it out with a million people down by the Bund? Good fun for all! That said, your advice is well heeded by any who can't escape CNY, which should be Jan 29 next year...

Brenna

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 13:42:35 +0800

It's not just the Chinese who have to work on the weekend of the 8-9th. Woe is me.