From free tickets to nationwide scenic spots to heavily discounted hotel bookings, this Friday is giving travelers a reason to hit the road as China celebrates National Tourism Day.

The National Tourism Administration (NTA) has announced that this year's theme is "Travelling Makes a Happier Life," and regions all over the country have launched numerous promotions to meet visitors' demands.

Compared with previous years, free or discounted tickets to access scenic spots on National Tourism Day saw a significant increase -- even 5A- and 4A-scenic areas (the two highest categories of China's tourist attraction rating system) joined the celebrations.

Changbai Mountain Scenic Area in the northeastern province of Jilin opened its doors for free on Friday, and north China's Hebei Yesanpo Scenic Area slashed the ticket prices by half. Other famous attractions such as Longhu Mountain Scenic Area in southeast China's Jiangxi, Tiantai Mountain in the eastern province of Zhejiang, and Panshan Mountain in Tianjin, near Beijing, shouldered the majority of the entrance fees.

The day also includes special offers and discounts for those wishing to book hotels and flight tickets.

The local government in central China's Henan Province is also holding a tourism exhibition between May 19 and 21, during which it will introduce tourism products and services at cheap prices for the public.

"The vigorous development of tourism can mobilize the enthusiasm of tourists, which can give visitors an immersive tourism experience, in order to broaden their horizons, increase their knowledge to achieve wellbeing and happiness," NTA said.