According to the China Central Television (CCTV), the number of visitors in 49 of the 99 major tourist spots across the country surpassed the peak daily numbers.

Railways and roads were still heavily jammed with people heading to various places, though airlines reported a decline in the number of passengers.

CCTV reported that some airlines had already begun offering discounted air tickets.

Meanwhile, more and more people began to take short-distance and one-day trips.

Such excursions may be popular since weather forecasts indicate no cold weather for most parts of China during today.

Taking tours during the week-long holidays, which started last Friday, has become a pastime for many Chinese.

"During the past three days, I have been visiting famous places in Beijing. Now I'm getting tired out," said Beijing resident Jing Peng.

Jing said he was accompanying his sister, who came to visit Beijing from Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, just before October 1.

Though tired, Jing still plans to take his sister to additional sites.

"After all, the National Day holidays are a good chance for me to take her to those scenic spots," he said.

Shopping and eating are naturally indispensable factors when people take tours.

In Beijing, consumers spent 460 million yuan (US$56 million) from October 1 to 3 in major shopping places and restaurants, according to Beijing Evening News.

However, some people have made themselves ill during the holidays due to excessive food.

Local media reported that more than 300 people have gone to Renji Hospital in Shanghai due to digestive problems.

To hold wedding ceremonies during the holidays has become the choice of many couples.

In Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, media said 154 couples registered for their marriage during September 1 and 22 in Fuling District.

All of them decided to have their wedding ceremonies during the holidays.

An owner of a restaurant in the district said the restaurant could earn 100,000 yuan (US$12,000) from hosting wedding feasts during the period.

During the holidays, some accidents have occurred.

According to Xinhua News Agency, a college student named Chen Haihui was swept away by waves along the seashore in Changle, East China's Fujian Province, on Saturday.

By Monday morning, the student's body had still not been found.

(China Daily October 5, 2004)