China records 16.34 million cross-border trips during National Day and Mid-Autumn holidays

(ECNS) -- A total of 16.34 million inbound and outbound trips were made across China during this year's National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays (Oct.1 - 8), averaging 2.04 million crossings per day, up 11.5 percent year on year, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) said Thursday.

The daily peak of border crossings was recorded on Oct. 4, with 2.35 million people traveling in and out of the country, according to the NIA.

Of the total, 9.17 million trips were made by mainland residents, an increase of 9.6 percent year-on-year. Travelers from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan accounted for 5.74 million, up 12.2 percent, while 1.434 million trips were made by foreign nationals, up 21.6 percent.

A total of 751,000 foreign travelers entered the Chinese mainland, among whom 535,000 made use of visa-free entry policies — year-on-year increases of 19.8 percent and 46.8 percent, respectively.

During the eight-day holiday period, border inspection agencies handled 744,000 cross-border transport vehicles — including aircraft, ships, trains, and automobiles — representing an 11 percent rise compared with the same period last year.

(By Evelyn)