People get ready to board train home during the traditional Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival on Friday in Beijing. (Photo: IC)

BEIJING -- China's railways have recorded a travel rush on Friday, 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 Friday, said China Railway.

Trains throughout the country carried 11.58 million passengers on Thursday, 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 Thursday, 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.