It is estimated that nearly 7 million mainland tourists will travel abroad during the National Day holiday this year, accounting for about 5 percent of the total number of outbound tourists throughout the year, leading Chinese online travel agency Ctrip said in a recent report.

Japan is the top choice for the first time, with Thailand second and Hong Kong third.

According to Hong Kong Economic Times, a financial daily newspaper in Hong Kong, with 3 days off for Mid-Autumn festival and 7 days off for National Day this year, if mainland tourists take 6 days off in the middle, they can have the longest 16-day holiday.

Ctrip's report said the average spending by outbound travelers is about 7,300 yuan (US$1,067) and female, post-80s, post-90s, and families are the main tourism drivers during the National Day Golden Week.

Despite the recent earthquake in Hokkaido and typhoon damage to Kansai airport, Japan still attracts many Chinese tourists with its rich tourism resources, diversified destinations and convenient visa policies.

Nihon Keizai Shimbun, a flagship publication in Japan, reported Thursday that improved China-Japan relations helped the popularity of Japan as a tourist destination in China.