Over 700 million trips expected during holiday season

Budapest in Hungary. [Photo/VCG]

According to booking data from Ctrip, country's biggest online travel company, six million trips are expected in about 100 nations.

A typical National Day holiday in the country often stretches over seven days, called "golden week", but this year it has eight with the Mid-Autumn Festival vacation included.

The CTA report said the industry projects to record 590 billion yuan (about $90 billion), up 12.2 percent from last year.

Local destinations

More than 80 percent of Chinese would like to travel in the fourth quarter this year, and about 65 percent of them plan to sightsee in October, including the National Day-Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, according to a survey by National Tourism Administration.

More than 50 percent of those planning to head out are 23 to 34 years old. Natural scenic spots continue to be the most favored choice, with islands topping the list for families and couples.

Sanya in Hainan province is the most sought-after destination. Xiamen in Fujian province also is one of the favorite cities, because of the BRICS summit it hosted at the beginning of September.

Beijing, with its Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall, top the list, said the survey.

The One Belt One Road Initiative is driving a new trend. Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region along the Silk Road Economic Belt are attracting a new record number of tourists. Terracotta Warriors at Xi'an and Mogao Grottoes at Dunhuang are some of the hottest spots.

Sichuan province, though its most favored Jiuzhaigou Valley remains shut off after the recent earthquake, still has many attractions. Mount Emei in Leshan and Kangding, an ancient cultural city, have become good alternatives.

Besides, touring rural areas has growingly become a new option for vacationers.