Shanghai travelers to the city of Hangzhou, the famous capital of Zhejiang Province known for its scenic beauty, can now buy smart cards that allow unlimited visits to several historical sites.

For a single fee of 50 yuan (US$6), the smart cards - scores of which sold briskly yesterday in Shanghai, the first day they went on sale - offer admission to 16 famous scenic spots, such as the Lingyin Temple, the Memorial Temple of Yue Fei and the Yuhuang Mountain.

Once you pay for a smart card, there are no restrictions for a year. Without the card, admission to the sites would cost 252 yuan in total.

Purchase of a smart card offers an added option: for an additional small fee (5-10 yuan), one can gain admission to three other unique spots: the Yellow Dragon Cave, the Town God's Pavilion and the former residence of Hu Xueyan, a famous merchant from the Qing Dynasty (1368-1911).

Eager visitors lined up at the sales counter at People's Park on Nanjing Road W. yesterday afternoon to buy the cards.

With an area of 16,596 square kilometers inhabited by population of 5.2 million, Hangzhou embraces six urban districts and seven suburban counties.

"I have lots of Hangzhou relatives and I often go there. In the past, it costs me several hundred yuan for sightseeing every year," said Qian Zongchun, 58, a local resident. "Now with the card, I can save money and visit those spots which I couldn't afford."

Sheng haifeng, a visitor from another province, was also happy.

"I'm going to Hangzhou tomorrow. Even if I go there just once, the card is still worth having."

Hangzhou tourism officials said they hope the cards will attract more visitors from the city.

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