Taiwan: Taiwan to mark Qingming Festival April 2-5; transport disruptions likely

Event

Taiwan will mark the Qingming Festival April 2-5. Authorities have designated April 2 and 5 as public holidays. Millions of people will tend to their ancestors' gravesites during the festival, and many businesses and most government facilities will close for the holidays.

Large numbers of people typically travel before, during, and after Qingming. Private vehicle use will likely spike, resulting in significant congestion on national highways, as well as an increase in accidents. Traffic disruptions are possible even in relatively remote communities, as many people will travel to ancestral villages and tombs located in rural areas. The high volume of passengers may affect rail, bus, and airline networks. Unionized Taiwan Railway workers plan to strike in Yilan County during the holiday period, but officials claim the action will not impact national rail traffic. However, disruptions to ticketing and check-in could impact rail schedules in northeast Taiwan.

Advice

Confirm all rail, bus, and airline reservations. Arrive earlier than normal at transport hubs due to probable delays at check-in counters and security checkpoints. Drive defensively due to heavy traffic on major thoroughfares, and consider minimizing unnecessary driving on days before and after the holiday observance.