A shopping festival has been planned for this year's Shanghai Tourism Festival, which is scheduled from September 15 to October 6.

 

The shopping gala will start a day after the festival begins but end on the same day.

 

It will feature famous and historic brands from China, as well as imported items.

 

The festival will begin with a parade along Huaihai Road on opening night. The parade usually starts at 7:30pm and runs 90 minutes.

 

Floral floats -- shaped like lotus flowers, lions, and a phoenix -- will take part in the grand parade.

 

In last year's parade, some couples rode on floats decorated with red roses, while others settled for limousines.

 

Celebrations associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival will remain a highlight of this year's festival.

 

The Mid-Autumn Festival marks the harvest and falls on September 25 this year.

 

(Shanghai Daily July 28, 2007)