Shanghai, China's economic powerhouse, received nearly 2.5 million tourists, with its tourism revenue reaching 1.89 billion yuan (US$236 million), up 3.8 percent and 7.4 percent respectively year-on-year during the Spring Festival holiday.

According to an official with the municipal tourism bureau, theme parks, resorts in the suburbs of Shanghai, and traditional folk activities lured lots of people during the seven-day holiday from Jan. 29 to Feb. 4.

Since the year 2006 is the "Year of the Dog" according to the Chinese lunar calendar, a series of activities focusing on "dog" were held in many parks.

Besides holding door activities and concerts, the Oriental Art Center, Shanghai Theater, and Shanghai music hall also gave "festive banquets" for tourists.

Many tourists from neighboring provinces and cities drove to Shanghai to spend the Spring Festival holiday, a new choice for more tourists.

(Xinhua News Agency February 5, 2006)