PICTURE CHINA

Over the past few decades, China’s tourism industry has gone from almost nothing to become the largest domestic market in the world. As a result of the new disposable income being earned by China’s urbanites and eased restrictions on movement by the government, historic sights all over the country have become overwhelmed with camera happy tourists.

The bulk of China’s domestic tourism is concentrated into the three “golden week” holidays. Initiated in 1999 by the Chinese government, the golden week scheme promotes three weeklong holidays per year as a means to stimulate tourism, consumption and the economy. During these periods China’s air, rail and road networks become clogged with travelers, leading to many people being stranded each year.

Independent tourism is still relatively rare in China. Most Chinese tourists choose to visit sites as part of a tour group and the ubiquitous tour busses complete with flag waving guides, megaphones and matching neon baseball-caps are a common sight throughout the country.