Tourists are now able to check the air quality and visibility at major scenic spots in Shanghai's suburbs before deciding whether to visit them.
This follows the launch of a tourism meteorological center in the city last year, issuing complete, accurate and timely weather forecasts including weather, wind and temperature of 17 scenic spots.
The expanded tourism weather service covers 18 tourist attractions and includes air quality, visibility, cloud and sunshine. It is updated twice daily to cover the following 24 hours. Sightseeing is rated with up to five stars, depending on the weather and environmental conditions.
For forest parks and botanical gardens, information on negative oxygen ion and density of forests is also released.
The list is classified into water towns, amusement, forests, and other sites.
The tourist attractions include Shanghai Chenshan Botanic Garden, Dongping National Forest Park, Fengjing Water Town, Zhujiajiao Water Town, Jinjiang Amusement Park, Shanghai Happy Valley, Shanghai Disney Resort, Jinshan City Beach, Shanghai Wildlife Park, and Langxia Ecological Park.
"The service gives consideration to the influence of weather and environmental factors on tourists' visual experience and physical comfort, providing considerate reference and guide for their tours," said Xu Weiwan, director of Shanghai Tourism Administration.
The expanded Shanghai tourism sightseeing index was released on Monday.
"Shanghai is not big, but the weather conditions vary in different parts of the city," said Xu Jianming, director of the Yangtze River Delta Environmental and Meteorological Forecast and Warning Center.
