120 eager Shanghai citizens have signed with travel agencies to be part of the first touring party from the city to travel to Tibet via the newly-completed Shanghai-Lhasa railway. They are set to depart July 1st.

Several travel agencies and tour operators have shown great interest in the tourist market brought on by the newly-built Tibet railway. They all designed similar itineraries, with the departing date for most of their trips scheduled for early July.

One travel agency designed a 10 day itinerary from Shanghai to Lhasa at a reference price of 3,600 yuan. However, this price may change as the railway administration has not yet announced the final price for Shanghai to Lhasa train.

New travel itineraries are welcomed by Shanghai citizens, especially the more price-concerned middle-aged customers. Over 300 people expressed their wish to join the first tour party on July 1st. However, tour operators must filter through these requests to organize groups of 120.

The specific train ticket prices will be issued soon.

When the Tibet railway is completed, at the end of 2006, tourists will be able to depart from Beijing, Shanghai and Xining in West China's Qinghai province to reach "the roof of the world."

CRIENGLISH