Chinese people are expected to make more than 2 billion trips including overseas travel during the week-long string of holidays which began on Friday.

The extended vacation period, which combines the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, is the first since China ended its zero-COVID policy.

The government estimates that people will make 2.05 billion trips by private or public transport during the eight days. It expects 257 million trips to be taken per day, up nearly 60 percent from the same period last year.

People heading back to their hometown or setting off on trips crowded an airport in Guangzhou in the southern province of Guangdong on Thursday.

A Chinese passenger who was due to visit Tokyo and Kyoto, said travel to Japan is easier now that PCR tests and self-isolation are no longer required. She said she is looking forward to visiting hot springs and sightseeing.

A number of group tours from China to Japan have reportedly been canceled following the release of treated and diluted water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea.

But some observers say the water discharge has only had a limited impact on tourism as Japan remains a popular destination for individual Chinese tourists.