Over 700 million trips expected during holiday season

China's travel sector projects about 710 million trips -- nearly 10 percent of world's total population -- during the upcoming 8-day National Day holiday, said chinanews.com, citing a report by China Tourism Academy (CTA).

According to booking data from Ctrip, country's biggest online travel company, six million trips are expected in about 100 nations.

A typical National Day holiday in the country often stretches over seven days, called "golden week", but this year it has eight with the Mid-Autumn Festival vacation included.

The CTA report said the industry projects to record 590 billion yuan (about $90 billion), up 12.2 percent from last year.

Local destinations

More than 80 percent of Chinese would like to travel in the fourth quarter this year, and about 65 percent of them plan to sightsee in October, including the National Day-Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, according to a survey by National Tourism Administration.

More than 50 percent of those planning to head out are 23 to 34 years old. Natural scenic spots continue to be the most favored choice, with islands topping the list for families and couples.

Sanya in Hainan province is the most sought-after destination. Xiamen in Fujian province also is one of the favorite cities, because of the BRICS summit it hosted at the beginning of September.

Beijing, with its Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall, top the list, said the survey.

The One Belt One Road Initiative is driving a new trend. Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region along the Silk Road Economic Belt are attracting a new record number of tourists. Terracotta Warriors at Xi'an and Mogao Grottoes at Dunhuang are some of the hottest spots.

Sichuan province, though its most favored Jiuzhaigou Valley remains shut off after the recent earthquake, still has many attractions. Mount Emei in Leshan and Kangding, an ancient cultural city, have become good alternatives.

Besides, touring rural areas has growingly become a new option for vacationers.

Heading abroad

Oversea market may witness a record number of Chinese tourists at this holiday, especially in wake of weakened US dollar against Chinese yuan. Southeast Asia countries including Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand are in high demand for short-haul vacationers, and US, Canada and Australia, are popular among long-haul holiday makers, according to booking data from Tuniu, a travel service provider.

Highly rated reality show Chinese Restaurant staring Zhao Wei, Huang Xiaoming and other famous celebs will attract large number of Chinese tourists to an island in Thailand this holiday. Ctrip data show bookings to the show's shooting location -- Koh Chang -- rose by 260 percent.

Game of Thrones has made Morocco and Croatia popular destinations among Chinese tourists, too. Box office winner Wolf Warriors Ⅱ will send many to African savannah, with visitors joining tour groups bound for Kenya jumping by 64 percent.

Beyond movie and TV appeal, there are some newcomers. Portugal, Hungary, Czech and Israel are expected to see more Chinese tourists.

Most Southeast Asia countries may be favored, but not South Korea this time. Chinese reserving trips to the neighboring country fell by about 70 percent compared with last year, data show.