Nearly 1,000 local migrant children had a chance to visit some of Shanghai's top scenic attractions on Saturday - the first day of their winter vacation.

Students from all of Shanghai's 19 districts' and county's migrant primary schools visited the Shanghai Museum, the Oriental Pearl Broadcasting and Television Tower and a navy museum in Baoshan District during the free tour.

The Shanghai Committee of the Chinese Youth League organized the event and spent about 200 yuan (US$24) on each student.

Ding Ding, a committee official, said that the activity was specially designed to provide access to scenic spots to migrant children who usually have few opportunities to tour the city.

"Owing to their families' social status and poor economic situation, migrant children often feel separated from their local peers. We wish to help them learn about the city's history and fast development," Ding said.

Since June 2002, the committee has organized similar sightseeing activities for about 10,000 local needy students.

(Shanghai Daily January 31, 2005)