About 4.25 million tourists visited Shanghai this week - a record for the 17 so-called Golden Week holidays since they started in October 2000, the Shanghai Tourism Administrative Commission said.

Visits to the countryside and water towns were most popular among tourists.

Top destinations included villages on Chongming Island, Flower Harbor in Nanhui District, the old town of Fengjing in Jinshan District, and Zhujiajiao in Qingpu District.

The 110 routes to water towns were fully booked every day at Shanghai Sightseeing Bus Center, an official said. Among several newly launched bus routes, destinations including Lin'an, Tonglu, and Anji in Zhejiang Province were the most popular.

Famous sightseeing spots such as Shanghai Wild Animal Park also added new twists to attract visitors. Three male panda cubs, as well as a daily circus, show proved to be the main attractions. The park received 130,100 visitors during the weeklong holiday, a 33 percent increase over last year.

Outdoor events included folk festivals at Yuyuan Garden and Longhua Temple. Both boasted art performances and snacks. From May 1 through yesterday, the two festivals attracted about 3 million visitors.

The first Shanghai International Musical Fireworks Festival, held at Daning Lingshi Park in Zhabei District, attracted 60,000 people.

The Shanghai Spring International Music Festival 2006 included overseas artists, operas, traditional Chinese music and a European symphony orchestra. The festival continues until May 16.

Southeast Asia was the most popular outbound destination during the Labor Day holiday.

However, seniors preferred to travel to Russia, which promised Chinese visitors visa-free entry last month.

Another highlight of the tourism industry was the rising awareness of environmental protection. Travelers from Luwan District were given garbage bags by travel agencies as a reminder not to litter on their trip.

(Shanghai Daily May 9, 2006)