During the weeklong national holiday from October 1 to 7, the Beijing's railway sector will transport about 2.4 million passengers, according to the Beijing Railway Bureau.

The figure will be 80,000 more than the same period in 2002, and the Beijing Railway Bureau has decided to arrange 16 pairs of temporary direct trains to meet the demand.

Because this year's Mid-August Festival (the Moon Cake Festival) falls on Sept. 28, more travelers will flood into Beijing to enjoy an extended holiday, according to official predictions.

According to the Beijing Railway Bureau, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 will be peak days with more than 250,000 people traveling by subway. Another peak may appear from Oct. 5 to 7 when most travelers will return for work.

Nationwide, Chinese travelers will make 37.7 million journeys by train during the imminent week-long holiday, 3 percent more than the same period last year, said the Chinese Ministry of Railways.

The ministry plans to add 100 special tourist trains and 37 pairs of temporary trains during the holiday to ease transport pressure. All local railway departments have been ordered to prepare emergency plans for the travel "golden week."

Since the year 2000, China lengthened its three major public holidays, Spring Festival, May Day and National Day, from three days to seven days. This has created so-called "golden weeks," when people can travel across the country and gather with families.

(Xinhua News Agency September 20, 2004)