A total of 63,497 couples tied the knot in Changsha, capital of Hunan Province, last year.

The figure represented a record high over the past five years. A total of 49,635 couples married in 2005.

Local officials attributed the increase to the commonly held belief that 2006 was a lucky year to get married because of its "leap month". Most of the people who married were around 20 years old.

Local officials estimate the figure would be lower this year, probably around 50,000.

(Changsha Evening News)