Olympic Sites, Quake Zone on Tourist List

Olympic city Beijing and earthquake-stricken areas in Sichuan Province will be hot travel destinations during the week-long National Day holiday.

At the same time, more than 5 million people are expected to visit Shanghai, the Shanghai Tourism Administrative Commission said yesterday during a meeting held to discuss holiday planning. National Day is October 1.

Many travel agencies in Shanghai have organized Olympics-themed trips to places such as the "Bird's Nest" National Stadium and the "Water Cube" swimming venue, officials said.

Agencies also said Sichuan-bound tourism is expected to peak during the holiday. October is the most beautiful time to visit Sichuan, and the price of travel packages has dropped 20 to 30 percent.

Plus, tourists are being recruited for the first trip to Sichuan's Dujiangyan since the May 12 earthquake.

Officials said during the meeting that the reduction of the previously week-long Labor Day holiday has warmed up the tourism industry for the National Day break.

Tourists who prefer short trips will also find some attractive options, as the Shanghai Sightseeing Bus Center has developed several new packages running from one to three days during the holiday.

The 2008 Shanghai Tourism Festival, which lasts through October 6, will also attract many tourists. Fireworks will be featured at Century Park and Daning Green Land.