China handled about 336 million passenger trips on Wednesday, the first day of the "golden week" National Day holiday, the country's Ministry of Transport said.
The total was up 1.7 percent from the same period last year, according to official statistics.
Highways accounted for the majority of holiday transportation, with an estimated 310 million trips made on the day, up 1.2 percent compared with the same day last year.
The country's railway network handled about 23 million passenger trips, up 7.2 percent year-on-year.
The railway authorities have arranged additional trains for popular destinations including Guangdong, Guizhou, Sichuan and Chongqing. They have also extended the railway operational time during the holiday to cater to rising demand.
"I am very happy with the operation extension policy. It means we will have more time for traveling without rushing to catch the train back home," said Ms. Cui, a traveler from Chengdu City of southwest China's Sichuan Province.
The country's airports handled about 2.48 million passenger trips on Wednesday, up 3.4 percent year-on-year, operating a total of 19,682 flights with a regularity rate of 96 percent.
"We have established an efficient communication mechanism to ensure flight punctuality. We have increased the air transport capacity for the major passenger source cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hangzhou to ensure smooth travel experience for passengers," said Quan Xiaoyi, vice-president of Sanya Phoenix International Airport in southern China's tourism Hainan Province.
China's National Day is celebrated on Oct 1, with the official holiday period running from Oct 1 to 7. This year, the Mid-Autumn Festival falls on Oct 6, creating a combined break extending from Oct 1 to 8.
China handles over 336 million passenger trips on 1st day of National Day holiday
China handles over 336 million passenger trips on 1st day of National Day holiday
China handles over 336 million passenger trips on 1st day of National Day holiday
An exciting wave of innovative winter tourism experiences is drawing visitors to the icy parts of China, as destinations transform ice and snow resources into immersive, experience-driven attractions that boost local consumption and development.
In Jiuru Mountain Scenic Area in Jinan City, east China's Shandong Province, towering icefalls formed by the area's canyon terrain and sustained winter cold create a spectacular frozen landscape.
Covering around 30,000 square meters, dense icicles and ice curtains hang like crystal glass, offering visitors a prime viewing season.
This winter, the scenic area has creatively incorporated fire elements, installing more than 100 stoves and log cabins throughout the park, creating a unique scene with "a stove available every few steps and a wooden cabin every 100 meters."
"The experience is really amazing and far beyond my expectations," said a tourist named Tian Yujuan.
Beyond sightseeing, the tourist attraction has also introduced more than 20 creative handicraft studios where visitors can make sachets and chocolates, while its snow play park that features ice sleds and snow tubing has become especially popular with families.
Since the New Year's Day, both visitor numbers and operating revenues at the site have more than doubled year on year.
In Yinchuan City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, local attractions are also expanding winter offerings through a "snow and ice plus" model.
On the Yuehai Lake, tourists wearing specially designed red protective suits float calmly in icy water in an activity known as "ice floating". The suits feature heat-locking inner layers and high-buoyancy outer layers, ensuring warmth and safety, while on-site photography services use drones and cameras to capture the experience.
"On weekends, I am willing to come to nearby cities to experience this kind of effortless relaxation. I find it quite stress-relieving," said a tourist.
In Pingxiliang Village, a small mountain village in suburban Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, ice and snow tourism has become a catalyst for rural revitalization.
Once an extremely impoverished village, Pingxiliang has developed winter cultural tourism by leveraging local resources.
Nowadays, more than 80 percent of households in the village operate homestays, and 236 villagers work in tourism, with related income accounting for over 70 percent of the total revenue.
Meanwhile, at the Sayram Lake in Xinjiang, winter visitors are flocking to newly created blue ice waterfalls -- each about 10 meters high and covering a total area of 15,000 square meters.
Built by staff who erected supports and sprayed water starting in November, the frozen formations preserve the natural shape of cascading water, creating a striking man-made icefall.
Shared widely on social media, the blue ice waterfalls have become a new must-see destination for winter tourists to the Sayram Lake.
China's winter tourism blends ice landscapes with immersive experiences
