Annual tourism festival kicks off in Shanghai

The annual Shanghai Tourism Festival kicked off Friday in the eastern Chinese city, aiming to boost consumption and promote tourism.

This year's festival, scheduled until Oct 6, features multi-themed activities held both online and offline. Strict anti-epidemic measures, such as online reservation and limiting the number of visitors, have been adopted in view of the COVID-19 situation, according to local tourism authorities.

Heavy discounts on tickets to 82 scenic spots from Sept 17 to 24 have been offered, and a 24-hour livestreaming of Shanghai's over 150 historic buildings will be held to celebrate the city's history and culture.

The Shanghai Tourism Festival was first launched in 1990.