A performer dances on downtown Huaihai Road in Shanghai last night as a 70-minute parade of floats attracted thousands of people.

Shanghai Daily news

Thousands of people jostled for a good view of the 70-minute parade of floats, performances and fireworks along downtown Huaihai Road last night, which was part of the 2004 Shanghai Tourism Festival that kicked off on Saturday with a grand party.
The parade included 25 floats from 11 countries and regions, including two from the United States for the first time.
About 400,000 people watched the parade, according to festival organizers.
The festooned floats will be showcased across the city over 18 days starting yesterday.
"It is crowded, but exciting. I was impressed by one of the floats which performed fantastic 'bianlian' - changing facial masks - a unique performance in Sichuan Opera," said Ji Linyun, a senior student at Fudan University.
On Saturday, a grand carnival was held at the Nanjing Road Pedestrian Mall with performances by pop stars including Chen Kun and Kenny Bee. Several thousand people attended.
A 6,000-square-meter stage, the biggest in the 15-year history of the festival, was set up for performances during the event.
The festival will run till October 6. The three-week event will include more than 40 main programs, including a BASE jump show in Jinmao Tower and a music and fireworks festival.