Beijing, Oct 1 (IANS): A staggering 85 million Chinese took to the highways Sunday, the first day of the eight-day long national holiday.
The figure is 13.3 percent more than the equivalent period last year, according to the ministry of transport.
The surge was partially driven by a new government policy that has made most expressways in the country toll free during the holiday period for passenger cars with fewer than seven seats, reported Xinhua.
Sunday was the first day of China's eight-day holiday -- Mid-Autumn Festival Sunday and the National Day holiday from Monday to Sunday.