On Saturday, 220,000 made their way to 33 local venues that were either open to public free of charge or selling tickets for discounts of up to 50 percent, according to the Shanghai Tourism Administrative Commission.

The Shanghai Museum received about 45,000 visitors on Saturday, far more than usual.

"In the museum's 51-year history, this is the first time that it was open free of charge, and it is the first time that we saw so many visitors," said Li Feng, a museum official. It usually charges 20 yuan (US$2.40) admission.

Yesterday, about 1,700 people visited the museum, an average number for a Sunday.

The situation was the same at other venues across town.

About 14,000 people visited the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium and 15,000 people visited the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, where tickets were sold for 50 percent off.

The Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, which has dropped all admission fees to bring back visitors, had to call in 300 police officers on Saturday to help control the massive crowds eager for a free look. Officials at the hall wouldn't say just how many people showed up on Saturday morning, but they did say the hall had to stop letting any new visitors in during the afternoon.

Local residents enjoyed the discounts, but expressed dismay it was only a one-day deal.

Flora Chen said she was planning to visit the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall but decided not to after she saw the huge crowds on television.

(eastday.com June 16, 2003)