Shopping and dumplings will join a parade down Huaihai Road, a musical fireworks show and beer drinking as major selling points for this year's Shanghai Tourism Festival, organizers announced Thursday.

 

A dumpling culture exhibition will be held in Jiading District from September 28 to October 6, allowing visitors to learn about the history of the tasty snacks as they chow down, according to the Shanghai Tourism Administrative Commission.

 

Visitors will also learn how to make Nanxiang steamed dumplings, a famous treat in China that combines tender meat wrapped in dough skins and its tasty soup.

 

There is no admission fee for the exhibition, but visitors will have to pay for all of the dumplings they eat, noted Yao Shuoye, an official with the commission.

 

A shopping exhibition will display goods from both home and abroad. Traditional brands that are well-known in the country will also be available during the festival, which runs from September 16 to October 6. The commission said it is cooperating with the Shanghai Economic Committee to offer visitors some discounts on the goods.

 

The tourism festival will also include several traditional events, including a parade down Huaihai Road to kick off the festival, fireworks, and Shanghai Oktoberfest, a chance to drink beer and dance the polka.

 

Twenty floats and 30 performing groups from around the world will take part in the parade on the evening of September 15.

 

The musical fireworks festival, which is expected to be held in Century Park, will welcome performers from Portugal, the United States and Slovenia.

 

More than eight million people from home and abroad are expected to participate in the tourism festival, which is going to take place from September 15 to October 6, according to the commission.

 

(Shanghai Daily July 28, 2007)