Conversation on paid leave

The China National Tourism Administration released the Outline for National Tourism and Leisure on Monday. It aims to meet people's increasing demands for tourism and leisure and also promote the development of the tourism and leisure industry. It says all workers in China will be able to enjoy paid leave by 2020. China Daily reporters interviewed several people about their paid leave and vacation plans.

"We have paid annual leave of 15 days every two years. But I have never applied for the leave partly because work keeps me very busy. Also there are no implementation rules concerning how to practice the annual leave. And none of my colleagues has ever applied for holiday. It is like that we have no such tradition.

"If there are implementation rules of annual leave, I'll definitely use the vacation to travel. 

"I prefer domestic tourism sites over visiting foreign countries since I cannot speak English and it is tedious to apply for a visa. Also domestic touring sites are now in better management than before. Some sites do not charge entry fees, for example the Xuanwu Lake in Nanjing."

Li Yaojin, 55, male, a civil servant in Suqian, Jiangsu province

"In the junior level, we have 12 days of paid annual leave each year. I always divide up the annual leave. 

"For places I would choose to spend the vacation, I really have no strong preferences. I like to go to places. 

"Last National Day holiday we had a week off, and I applied another day of annual leave, so a total of eight days. I went to Qinghai Lake for the long vacation. There are not many tourists, and the view is fantastic. The tip is not to choose the hottest tourist sites.

"In the next annual leave I am planning to go to Malaysia to enjoy sunshine and the beach. My budget is 5,000 to 6,000 yuan for a week. If I go to Hainan, my budget would be almost the same and but the scene and travel service is less satisfactory." 

Xie Jie, 26, female, accountant with an American fast moving consumer goods company in Shanghai

"Paid leave suits me well. Last year, I took my vacation in August and went backpacking. I only wish such kind of paid vacation could be longer. Actually, we should shorten official holidays, when people all over China crowd into the sight spots at the same period of time, and let the paid leave become the mainstream of vacations, when you can choose whenever you want to travel and avoid the peak season."

He Ran, 25, male, an employee at a consulting firm in Beijing

"We have a week of paid leave every year. Last year, I spent the vacation at different periods of time. But this year, I'd like to put it together and travel around cities in North China, probably in Beijing in April or May, when it's warm there."

Li Long, 26, male, an employee at a private company in Shanghai

"I prefer to travel during my paid leave. Because I don't like the official holidays, when you definitely will have the experience of being crammed into places that are full of people, waiting in a long queue and buying things at high prices."

Wang Zhida, 28, male, an employee at a State-owned company in Beijing 

"I like my five-day annual paid vacation. Because with it, you decide when and how to spend your time. I would like to go to Beijing this year after the National Day Holiday and visit the Fragrant Hills Park."

Zhang Feng, 30, male, an employee at a private company in Shenzhen, Guangdong province