In Beijing, the Chinese capital, more than 200,000 people gathered at Tian'anmen Square early in the morning to witness the national-flag hoisting ceremony.

The city's major parks and tourists attractions were filled with tourists from across the country, as many Chinese have chosen to travel during the seven-day holiday from October 1-7.

The tourism authority estimated that more than 490,000 tourists visited the capital's major tourist attractions Monday, up 2.4 percent on the same day of last year.

"We have won the 2008 Olympic Games and we are expecting the WTO accession. It's all good news this year. We definitely want to have a good celebration," said an old gentleman who identified himself as Xiao and was dancing Yangge, a popular folk dance, to drum tunes.

Similar flag-raising ceremonies were also held in many other cities including Lhasa, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, and Huhhot, capital of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

In Tianjin, a metropolis near Beijing, citizens went outdoors to have a good look at their rapidly developing city. Many of them were drawn to the newly-cleaned Wenjin River and Beiyun River and the newly-rebuilt Drum Tower, the symbol of old Tianjin.

In Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in the northwest, citizens in colorful Uygur dressing danced to cheerful music at the People's Square, which was decorated by flags and flowers as was other parts of the town.

It is estimated that more than 50,000 tourists from home and abroad will visit Xinjiang during the holiday, which has become a more popular tourist destination as the nation's "go-west" strategy has carried on.

In Linfen, a city in Shanxi Province, more than 50 Taiwan compatriots paid their respects to the Temple of Yao, the legendary ruler in ancient China.

In Fuzhou, capital of Fujian Province in east China, thousands of kites and balloons were let go at the Jiangbin Park at 8:00 am, marking the beginning of a seven-day cultural exposition.

Autumn has always been a golden time for wedding ceremonies. In Suzhou, a city in Jiangsu Province, 22 new couples attended a mass wedding ceremony at the Suzhou Industrial Park. The guests also shared a super large mooncake.

In the ancient city of Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi Province, readers poured to the newly-built provincial library, which just opened Sunday.

The city's first book fair at the Industrial Exhibition Hall was also an overwhelming success. Some readers arrived at the fair more than an hour before it opened.

The government of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) held a series of activities Monday to celebrate the National Day.

The celebrations started with a grand national flag raising ceremony at 8:00 a.m., which was attended by Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah and all principal officials from the Macao SAR government, central government officials stationed in Macao and local celebrities.

Organized by the Sports Development Board, a long-distance running with extensive participation of Macao residents was also launched at 8:15 a.m.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, the SAR government hosted a magnificent reception at the Macao Landmark Conference Exhibition Center. More than 1,000 officials and guests were present on the occasion.

At night, fireworks were displayed to add more festive aura in celebrating the National Day.

People in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Monday celebrated China's National Day with varieties of activities.

Lampposts and skyscrapers were decorated with multicolored banners and slogans as local residents celebrated a double holiday.

On Monday morning, Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa and officials from the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong joined hundreds of local people for the flag-hoisting ceremony outside the massive convention center where China formally resumed the exercise of the sovereignty over Hong Kong in July 1997.

To mark the National Day, Hong Kong government offered free entertainment, including concerts by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and performances by the members of the Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. Many cocktail parties were also held to celebrate the event.

Gala fireworks were also displayed in the evening.

(Xinhua News Agency 10/01/2001)