Capturing the moments of Golden Week 2019 [Photo by Bruce Connolly/chinadaily.com.cn]

Regularly I would remain in Beijing during the October vacation. It was a good time to be in the capital. Traffic was generally light, with many locations uncrowded if the Forbidden City or Nanluoguxaing alley were avoided. The weather was often excellent; walking was a pleasure. There were activities such as Beijing Design Week, partly held in traditional courtyards around the historic districts of Qianmen-Dashilar. It was a time to appreciate much that is beautiful about the city, to enjoy the colors of the parks, stroll or cycle alongside canals to take in so much during that last major break before winter sets in.