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Which holidays are popular in your country?

In my country,a plethora of holidays are dotted throughout the year.

Commencing with the New Year Day holiday in January, the festive spirit continues with the Spring Festival in February – the most important one of the year for Chinese. After that, the Qingming holiday in April and the Dragon Boat Festival are culturally significant events in the calendar. The other really popular holidays are the National Day holiday and the Mid-Autumn Festival, which are usually combined together to give us a Golden week, so these holidays definitely take center stage.

I would say the former two are more about family reunions and togetherness, while the latter is characterized by travel, leisure, and shopping.

• a plethora of 众多的
• dotted throughout the year 全年都有
• festival spirit 节日气氛
• culturally significant 具有文化重要性
• combined together 结合在一起
• take center stage 核心
• former 前者
• family reunions 家庭团聚
• latter 后者
• characterized by 以……为特征

Are there any popular places for holidays in your country?

Sure, absolutely. There are iconic destinations for holidaymakers in all corners of my country. However, when it comes to holidays, certain major cities stand out prominently, those being Beijing in the north, Shanghai on the east coast, Guangzhou in the south, and Chongqing and Chengdu in the southwest all draw considerable attention. Xinjiang in the northwest, with its diverse landscape, and Xi’an with ancient walls and terracotta warriors, are also highly favored among Chinese holiday-goers.

The popularity of these destinations is so immense that securing train or air tickets becomes a race, especially before major holidays like the Golden week in October, resulting in what we call in China "people mountain people sea."

Nevertheless, holidays aren't confined to urban areas; they extend to the exploration of scenic spots surrounding major cities. For instance, travelers heading to Chengdu often include Jiuzhaigou Valley in their itinerary, drawn by its world-class natural beauty and breathtaking scenic views.

• iconic 标志性的；经典的
• holidaymakers 度假者
• in all corners of 各地；各个角落
• stand out prominently 脱颖而出
• draw considerable attention 备受关注
• diverse 多元的
• landscape 景色
• terracotta warriors 兵马俑
• highly favored 备受欢迎
• holiday-goers 度假者
• immense 海量的
• secure 得到；获得
• confined to 局限于
• scenic spots 风景名胜
• itinerary 行程
• world-class natural beauty 世界级的自然美景
• breathtaking 激动人心的
• scenic views 美景

What are the differences between old and young people when spending their holidays?

Hmm, I think it depends on the individual, but generally, younger individuals lean towards more distant or even international travel, seeking adventurous experiences. The appeal for exploring unfamiliar cultures and landscapes fuels their desire for exploration during holidays. In contrast, senior citizens tend to have a more conservative approach, favoring nearby destinations or visiting relatives, valuing the comfort of familiar surroundings.

Another distinction lies in spending habits. The younger generation is often equipped with a more substantial budget for their vacation expenditures. They are more willing to splurge on diverse experiences, accommodation, and activities. On the contrary, older individuals, typically constrained by more limited budgets, adopt a more frugal approach. These different approaches underscore the distinct motivations and priorities that shape holiday choices across different age groups.

Why do some people dislike holidays?

In China, the aversion to holidays can be attributed to a couple of factors, I think.

Firstly, the overwhelming crowds, particularly during extended holidays, pose a blockage for some people. Navigating through bustling crowds becomes a laborious task, necessitating meticulous planning and advanced ticket purchases. We often joke about a sea of black heads whenever visiting a crowded touristry area.

Secondly, the fear of excessive spending gives some people a headache. For instance, individuals working far from home may harbor a dislike for the Spring Festival due to the substantial travel involved. Securing tickets a month in advance and the ensuing expenditure, such as preparing red envelope money for younger and older relatives during the holiday simply make some people anxious. This financial strain is humorously captured by many young people who quip about their wallets seemingly "emptying out" whenever a major holiday approaches.

These challenges of crowds and financial burden, I believe, contribute to the disapproval of holidays among certain individuals in my country.