China's road, rail, civil aviation, and waterway saw sustained passenger flows on the third day of the National Day holiday on Saturday, driven by strong tourism demand.
Railways are expected to send 18.9 million passenger trips on the day, with 910 additional trains scheduled.
In response to high holiday travel demand, railway departments have used newly opened lines and stations to increase transport capacity on popular routes and sections.
For example, the newly opened Yichang-Xingshan High-speed Railway in central China's Hubei Province and Xi'an-Ankang High-speed Railway in northwest China's Shaanxi Province have both become new choices for tourists this holiday. With their ticket stubs, they can also enjoy full-chain discounts on food, accommodation, transportation, shopping, and entertainment.
Highway traffic is expected to reach 62-64 million vehicle trips, with most travel short- and medium-distance.
The main thoroughfares and the sections around scenic spots are under pressure in both directions.
Civil aviation is expected to transport 2.25 million passenger trips with 18,019 flights on Saturday. Many airlines have increased flight frequency between popular tourist cities and deployed more wide-body aircraft to meet passenger travel demand.
Waterway passenger trips are expected to reach 2.1 million, up 9.1% year on year. Passenger flow from tourism and visiting relatives is driving the figure higher.
China sees sustained travel surge on Day 3 of National Day holiday
Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping and special envoy of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the advancement of girls' and women's education, called for the international community to vigorously develop digital and intelligent education for women, to ensure that they can use and benefit from digital and intelligent technologies.
Peng made the remarks via video link at the award ceremony of the 2026 UNESCO Prize for Girls' and Women's Education, held on Friday local time in Paris, France.
Noting that girls' and women's education remains an arduous task, she also urged the international community to work together to enhance women's vocational education and training and build them a ladder to a life of brilliance.
Peng extended warm congratulations to this year's laureates who are from Morocco and Peru. Noting that girls' and women's education is a key measure of the progress of human civilization, she said in recent years, thanks to UNESCO's strong advocacy and the international community's concerted efforts, encouraging progress in this worthy cause has been achieved.
Stressing that China has always set great store by girls' and women's education, Peng said China is committed to helping women in China to receive better education and live a life of purpose.
"At the same time, we are also actively and extensively carrying out practical cooperation with UNESCO and relevant parties, and have implemented a number of programs, benefiting women across the globe," Peng added.
She said that China's efforts over recent years in using AI to empower quality education have not only boosted gender equality in education and women's all-round development, but also provided useful experience for fellow Global South countries.
In advancing girls' and women's education, hope is sown, dreams are nurtured, and happiness will be reaped in abundance, she said.
"As the UNESCO Prize for Girls' and Women's Education enters a new decade, I stand ready to work with all of you to promote greater progress in girls' and women's education, and contribute to a brighter future in which more women can thrive and shine," Peng added.
Since China established the prize in cooperation with UNESCO in 2015, the award has continued to exert a positive impact and received extensive attention and high recognition from the international community.
Peng Liyuan calls for int'l community to advance women's education for access to digital, intelligent technologies
