Continuing the long Imperial tradition, 12.9 million students sat the gaokao (高考) or national college entrance examination. This is a standardised, highly competitive annual test that determines university admissions and shapes a student’s academic future in Mainland China.
During the week, much of China went silent for several days. Traffic slowed, people stopped using their car horns and entire local areas went about their daily activities in subdued silence.
Special green traffic lanes are arranged around some venues. Taxis offered free rides and standby services for students.
