Beijing attractions draw large crowds on first day of National Day holiday

Beijing's major tourist attractions drew large crowds on the first day of the seven-day National Day holiday, with more than 300,000 visitors gathering around Tian'anmen Square to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Visitors from across the country flocked to the square, many carrying national flags, taking photos and sightseeing as they expressed their wishes for the prosperity of the country.

"We all come from different parts of the country and come to the square every year to express our patriotism," said tourist Yang Shuhua.

"I wish our country becomes stronger and stronger, and that our people live and work in peace and contentment. I wish our country an even better future," said tourist Lyu He.

During the holiday, Beijing's Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been decorated with more than 210,000 flowers, creating a striking contrast with the centuries-old complex.

"This ancient architecture looks very beautiful under the sunshine, and everyone is very excited. You can clearly feel that everyone is emotionally connected and proud of the prosperity of our country," a visitor said.

Yongding River Market, a commercial and cultural complex along the Yongding River, welcomed about 15,000 visitors on the first day of the holiday for leisure activities, scenic walks and flower viewing.

Many new stores opened at the complex for the holiday, with more than half making their Beijing debut.

The new businesses range from a robot restaurant to outdoor equipment and art retailers, offering a variety of experiences for visitors of different age groups.

Beijing attractions draw large crowds on first day of National Day holiday

China continued to lead global car sales, accounting for nearly one-third of worldwide deliveries in the first eight months of the year, according to data from the World Automobile Organization, as emerging markets drove overall growth in the global auto industry.

Data released by the organization showed that 63.43 million passenger cars were sold from January to August. Of that total, China accounted for 20.31 million units, or 32 percent of global sales.

The United States ranked second, with 10.94 million passenger cars sold, accounting for 17.2 percent of global sales. By contrast, auto sales in Europe remained largely flat or edged lower over the same period.

China's global market share has been climbing since 2022 and reached a record high in 2025.

During the first eight months of the year, worldwide passenger car deliveries rose 2 percent year on year, powered by robust performance across emerging economies.

India posted a 20-percent increase in car sales, Vietnam's market jumped 28 percent, Thailand registered a 16-percent gain, while Russia recorded a 6-percent rise.

China continues to lead global car market