Chinese travelers will make 36.8 million journeys by train during the imminent May Day holiday, lasting from April 28 to May 7, a golden travel season for Chinese people.

The figure is 23.73 million higher than the same period last year, official predictions show.

According to the Ministry of Railways, a peak railway passenger flow will appear on May 2, when 4.05 million journeys will be made, indicating a rise of 2.45 million over last year.

The ministry plans to add 122 special tourist trains and 24 temporary trains during the holiday period to ease transport pressure, and all local railway departments have been ordered to prepare emergency plans for the travel "Golden Week".

(Xinhua News Agency April 27, 2004)