As many as 1,256 scenic spots on the Chinese mainland are offering free entry to first-time visitors from China's Taiwan region as the week-long National Day holiday starts on Tuesday.

Taiwan compatriots who are first-time holders of mainland travel permits will be granted free entry to these scenic spots within a year, said Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

Among these places, 54 are 5A attractions, the highest rating for Chinese mainland scenic spots, including Beijing's Tiantan Park and Summer Palace and Hunan's Zhangjiajie and Mount Heng. 432 are 4A spots, such as Hainan's Haikou Volcano Cluster Global Geopark and Tropical Wildlife Park and Guizhou's Quanhu Park and Huaxi Wetland Park, said Chen.

Visitors from Taiwan can learn about these free entry policies through tourist websites, entrance signs and travel agencies, Chen said.