SIXTY-FOUR scenic spots across the city are offering half-price tickets to celebrate the Shanghai Tourism Festival. Big crowds turned out at the weekend.

The Lujiazui area in the Pudong New Area was among the most popular places in Shanghai at the weekend for people gathering to see the landmark Oriental Pearl TV Tower and Shanghai Ocean Aquarium.

It took more than three hours queuing outside the aquarium at peak times.

“We have taken precautions in advance and opened half an hour earlier on the two days in preparation for big crowds,” said Deng Junfeng, operation director of the aquarium.