Golden Week was a time for people to enjoy the holiday 2019 [Photo by Bruce Connolly/chinadaily.com.cn]

Along parts of the Haihe, outdoor cafes had opened allowing panoramic views of the evening illuminations. What also attracted large crowds were the ceremonial openings of the Jiefang Bridge. This event only happens on special occasions. Completed in October 1927, it is a cantilever structure that historically lifted, splitting in the middle to allow the passage of ships. It was my first experience of watching this happen although such were the crowds that I was quite far back from the heart of the action, but still memorable.