Patience and an umbrella may be the two most important tools for coping with the National Day Holiday in Shanghai.

Rain is forecast for Sunday's start of the week-long break, and the drizzle is expected to continue into Monday, with clouds on tap for the rest of the period.

Top temperatures during the "golden week" will range from 24 to 26 degrees Celsius with lows around 21 degrees, according to the Shanghai Meteorological Bureau.

An even temper may help in dealing with the estimated 7.5 million people who will travel by train to and from Shanghai during the National Day celebration.

The Shanghai Railway Administration, which runs train services in Shanghai and Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Anhui provinces, said about 480,000 passengers boarded coaches on Thursday, the first day of the holiday travel rush, up 7.8 percent from the same period last year.

The administration said travelers should peak today, when many residents begin their trips out of town.

Extra trains and ticket offices will help deal with the heavy flow, officials said.

For those who remain in town, health and banking services will be available but limited.

The Shanghai Health Bureau said hospitals will provide out-patient services only on Thursday and Friday during the holiday period. Emergency services will be available at all times.

Shanghai banks will keep outlets open in major shopping and residential areas.

The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the country's biggest lender, will operate 200-plus outlets and more than 200 24-hour self-service sites during the holiday.

The Bank of China, the second-biggest lender, will open more than 60 outlets from Sunday to Tuesday, mainly in shopping areas such as Nanjing Road and Huaihai Road. BOC will boost the figure to 100 from Wednesday to Saturday.

China Construction Bank will close some of its outlets in office areas while keeping open those catering to shopping and daily needs.

Post offices will remain open during the period.

An online survey by headhunter Zhaopin.com indicated that 37 percent of respondents will remain at home during the holiday. Nearly 25 percent planned to travel.

About three-quarters will set aside a holiday spending budget of 1,000 yuan (US$125) or less.

(Xinhua News Agency September 30, 2006)