As China kicks off its five-day Labor Day holiday, hundreds of millions are hitting the rails, buses and highways in search of a break. But at Jingshan Park, just north of the Forbidden City in Beijing on the Chinese mainland, the team is in full swing—ensuring that visitors can soak up imperial gardens without a hitch.
"We start our day at dawn," says Li Wei, a park guide. "By the time most people grab breakfast at home, the first cleaning crews have already swept every path." From coordinating crowd flow to running special cultural workshops, staff have mapped out every hour of the holiday.
Data-driven shifts: Jingshan Park expects about 50,000 guests per day during Labor Day—a 30% jump from an average weekday. To keep everyone moving, the park has staggered tour start times through its mobile app and added multilingual digital signs at key intersections.
Up the green game: Sustainability is front and center. Reusable water stations dot the gardens, and compost bins for flower-trimming waste are on standby. "We want visitors to enjoy our heritage and leave only footprints," says Chen Rong, head of operations.
Arts and events: This year’s lineup includes traditional music performances, calligraphy demonstrations, and guided photo walks at dawn—when the park’s historic pavilions glow in the morning light. Evening lantern displays turn the lake into a glowing reflection of Chinese mainland craftsmanship.
Behind the scenes: While most households relax, security teams run crowd-management drills, medical staff stand by in pop-up clinics, and volunteers help non-Mandarin speakers navigate the park’s maze of gates. For many, it’s the busiest week of the year—but also the most rewarding.
Whether you’re a young global citizen curious about the real hustle behind the holiday, a tech enthusiast tracking smart tourism trends, or a digital nomad planning your next stop, Jingshan Park offers a front-row seat to the people powering China’s biggest break.
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Live: How staff at a popular Beijing park prepare for Labor Day rush
cgtn.com
