Over two million people will leave the Chinese capital by train for other cities during the May Day holiday, the municipal railway administration has predicted.

The figure is up 140,000 year on year, with such scenic destinations of Suzhou, Huangshan and Xi'an as the most popular among Beijingers.

Around 110,000 people leave the Beijing West Railway Station every day, 950,000 people journey from the Beijing West Railway Station and 850,000 from the Beijing Railway Station.

The two major railway stations have arranged 25 provisional trains and pre-sold tickets ten days before departure to cope with the increasing demand.

In 2000, China lengthened its three major public holidays, the Spring Festival, May Day and National Day, from three days to seven days each. This has created three "golden weeks" when people can travel across the country to be with their families.

(Xinhua News Agency May 4, 2006)