BEIJING — China's railways have recorded a travel rush on Sept 13, the first day of the three-day Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, as many people go home to be with their families or visit tourist attractions.

A total of 13.7 million train trips were expected to be made on Sept 13, said China Railway.

Trains throughout the country carried 11.58 million passengers on Sept 12, 1.74 million more than the same period last year.

To meet the surging travel demand, a total of 802 extra trains were put into service on Sept 12, according to the company.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, one of the most significant traditional Chinese festivals, is usually marked by family reunions, enjoying sights of the full moon and eating moon cakes among other customs.