Beijing, Aug 7 (IANS) As many as 4,251 couples registered their marriage here Saturday on China's Valentine's Day, authorities said.


The numbers were 10 times than that of the daily average and was about 200 more than that on the Feb 14 Valentine's Day, Xinhua reported citing the Beijing Daily.

Expecting a heavy rush, some marriage registration bureaus here began work an hour early.

China's Valentine's Day "Qixi" falls on the seventh day of the seventh month on the country's lunar calendar.

It is based on the legend of two separated lovers, Niu Lang and Zhi Nu, who could only meet each other on Qixi through an interstellar bridge formed by magpies.

Many young people view Qixi as Chinese Valentine's Day and an occasion for celebration with their partners.