The country's transport system carried as many as 1.65 billion passengers during the 40-day Spring Festival transportation season, which ended last Saturday.

The number was even bigger than the figure for last season, more than 1.5 billion. However, not all passengers traveled for family reunions, as Chinese traditionally have done during the Lunar New Year. A recent survey showed 44.96 million people spent the holidays touring scenic spots and historical sites.

(Eastday.com 02/19/2001)