But there will be plenty of other events throughout the city for the 2 million domestic tourists expected to spend the holiday in Shanghai, the city's tourism commission said yesterday.

Longhua Tourism City will launch a "drumming ceremony" to usher in the Lunar New Year, during which 66 local residents will be given the opportunity to strike the country's largest drum, an act that is supposed to bring luck and fortune in the new year. Luck, of course, doesn't come cheap as interested drummers must pay 999 yuan each for the opportunity.

The tourism city, as well as Grand View Garden and in Pudong's Century Park, will also host acrobatics, folk performances and games during the holiday.

The Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall will display its latest blueprint for the city's development during the vacation. The blueprint outlines changes to areas along the Huangpu River and shows what the site of World Expo 2010 will look like.

Several animal parks and aquariums are also offering special shows during the week.

The Shanghai Ocean Aquarium will host an exhibition of goldfish, featuring the world's largest goldfish and several other award-winning fishes.

At the Bund Tourist Tunnel, more than 10 species of sturgeon, including the endangered Chinese Sturgeon, will be on display.

The Shanghai Natural Wild-Insect Kingdom will host more than 100 varieties of turtles and more than 60 types of lizards during the week, while the Shanghai Wild Animal Park will display 16 cloned sheep to mark the beginning of the Year of the Sheep.

The real attraction for most visitors, however, will be the city's major shopping streets, which should be very busy during the week.

(eastday.com January 22, 2003)