The Beijing Zoo has for the first time opened to visitors at night.

People can spend 200 to 300 yuan to watch animal performances, enjoy the night view along the Kunyu River on Royal Yachts, and have a buffet.

While inviting people to have a go and guaranteeing viewers' safety, the zoo's deputy head Qian Jinchao also assures animal protectionists that such activities won't do any harm to the performing stars.

"Our zoo has a total of more than 5,000 animals of 450 different species. The animals we present to visitors are all night animals. So there won't be any harm to them."

The night visits will be available every Friday and Saturday until October.

(CRI.com August 1, 2003)