Year of the Ram leads to spending binge among consumers

Xiang Nan, a mother who hails from Nanjing, Jiangsu province, spent the Spring Festival holiday in Beijing, where her family dined at a famous Peking Duck restaurant and visited popular tourist sites and shopping centers.

But unlike many who made their Lunar New Year plans long ahead, her trip was spontaneous.

"I saw pictures of snow in Beijing in the morning and we jumped on the next express train," said Xiang, 34. "At 8 pm, we were on Wangfujing Street in downtown Beijing eating duck. It was wonderful."