Shanghai Tourism Festival adds Internet events

This year's Shanghai Tourism Festival will go "virtual" for the first time in its history, enabling residents and tourists to experience the splendor of the event online, city cultural and tourism authorities announced on Wednesday. 

A "cloud tourism" platform for the festival will be established, letting people experience more than 100 activities online in an intelligent and interactive manner, the Shanghai Administration of Culture and Tourism said.

"The platform centering on various locales for dining, accommodation, transportation, touring, shopping and entertainment will present high-quality cultural and tourism products, walking tour routes and diversified activities," said Cheng Meihong, deputy director of the administration.

Online activities including webcasts and shopping promotions will be held as well during the festival, the administration announced.

Residents and tourists are encouraged to share Shanghai's beautiful landscapes, delicious food and specialties on Douyin (known overseas as TikTok) to win gifts during the festival, according to the administration. 

Lvmama.com, Trip.com and Meituan Dianping will offer subsidies and discounts on tour products including hotels and tourist attraction ticketing, the administration said. 

During the festival, 99-yuan (US$14.47) annual tourism passes covering attractions in 17 cities in the Yangtze River Delta region such as Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Huangshan, Wenzhou, Nantong, Lishui and Huzhou will be released, said Cheng.

Meituan Dianping will distribute cultural and tourism spending coupons in the region during the event. 

The festival will feature activities that include cycling, cruises, light shows and culture festivals. Tourists and residents can experience 102 tourism routes and products during the festival from September 12 to 27.