Search China Travel News:

Longhua Temple will hold its 19th New Year bell ringing celebration on New Year's Eve, with hundreds of foreign travelers expected to take part.

More than 500 Japanese tourists will arrive in the city on two chartered flights and another 100 Japanese visitors will fly to Shanghai from Nanjing, the capital city of Jiangsu Province, to take part in the event, according to Ingrid Wing-sai Tang, deputy director of the Xuhui District Tourism Bureau.

Five thousand tourists will be allowed to enter the temple and watch the annual event for 200 yuan (US$25). So far more than 2,500 tickets have been sold, she said.

The bell will ring 108 times with the last chime timed to sound at midnight. It will be struck once by each of 108 special guests, all of whom are businessmen who have made large contributions to the temple. Striking the bell on New Year's Eve is believed to bring fortune and happiness.

They will walk into the bell tower and strike the 3,000-kilogram bronze bell carved with dragon patterns one by one. Ordinary visitors who want to ring the bell after midnight must pay another 318 yuan.

In addition to the usual celebrations such as jostling to tie written messages to a "wishing tree," which is made of yellow and red brass, listening to monks sing Buddhist chants and watching a fireworks display, a special pedestrian mall featuring traditional Chinese New Year decorations and food will be set up adjacent to the temple that night.

"A noodle eating competition will be held this year, adding more fun to the New Year's celebration programs," said Wu Yanxin of the tourism bureau.