China is a land of traditions, some of which have been maintained for many thousands of years.
Quaint is the Spring Festival tradition which, since time immemorial, has marked-out a time of merry-making, paying homage to grand-parents, parents, relatives and the very important re-cementing of bonds with friends and business associates.
Schools, colleges and universities are closed for a month to aid in the merry-making and, of course, to get everybody back on time again, after another long and harrowing return trip in a train.
All this holidaying takes place in most parts of China in sub-zero conditions. Trees are bare, gardens and parks feature zero flowers and everything looks frosty, miserable and uninviting. Brrrrrrrrr.
Come summer, students have six or more week holiday. A good chance to relax if it were not for the parents who have to work. Employer granted holidays in summer are a rarity in China.
While nature is offering its best, parents slave in hot offices and factories, children take holiday study courses lest they wreck the joint or find bad company while unsupervised and learn to smoke cigarettes or worse.
In most countries with marked season changes, parents and school children have their main holidays in summer so whole families can enjoy a happy vacation together, go to some idyllic place, splash in the water and have fun.
It seems to me that the distribution of holidays in China is in the wrong season and it may not be untimely if some re-distribution is attempted.
As a practically minded bystander, I would venture to suggest that two weeks school and factory holidays at Spring Festival would suffice. Then, two or three weeks in summer and another two weeks for National Day in October.
To prevent holiday stampedes, vacation dates could be staggered by main-industry groups: the metalwork industry holidays from July 1 to 14, then the electrical and electronic from July 7 to 21, followed by the building and related industry from July 14 to 28 etc. Some staggering before and after National Day may also prevent transportation peaks.
The revamping and staggering of holidays would be a boon for family life, a deserved relief for the poor overburdened Chinese student and simply great for the tourist and transport industry.
Try it, China, you'll like it!
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