China's pandemic-hit tourism sector breathed a sigh of relief as people got back to travelling during the eight-day holiday on account of the country's National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival.
A total of 637 million trips were made across China during the eight-day holiday, 79 percent of last year's number, according to data released by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on Thursday.
Revenue from tourism hit 466.56 billion yuan, up 69.9 percent from last year.
The country's transportation hubs witnessed a surge in return trips on Thursday as the holiday drew to a close.
During the holiday, travelers also showed a growing interest in road trips and group tours with family or friends.
According to Trip.com, car rentals increased by over 50 percent year-on-year, and group tours with family or friends doubled.
Data from online travel agencies also showed that tourists across the country embraced more diverse modes of travel during the holiday, with Party-themed tours, night tours and trips to the countryside gaining increasing popularity.
Tourist attractions across China received a total of 637 million visits from Oct. 1 to 8, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
The figure is equal to 79 percent of visits made during the same holiday last year.
China celebrates its National Day on October 1, and the week-long holiday this year has been extended to October 8 as it overlapped with the Mid-Autumn Festival, a traditional festival symbolizing family reunion that falls on the 15th day of the eighth month on the lunar calendar.
