The first group of package tourists from China authorized to visit Britain have enjoyed a whirlwind tour of London described by one happy visitor as a "dream come true."

The group took a catamaran cruise up the River Thames and a trip on the London Eye giant observation wheel before their coach took them via Buckingham Palace to a Chinese restaurant.

Qui Quishen, an English teacher from Shanghai, said her first trip to Britain was "a dream come true."

"Rich people are more common in China nowadays, but most people there are too busy to travel," she added.

The tourists also headed for the Madame Tussauds waxworks museum to have their picture taken with models of footballer David Beckham and his ex-Spice Girl wife Victoria, and Hollywood's glamour couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

Beijing student Lin Li, who won her trip in a television competition, said she was enjoying the cuisine so far.

"Oh yes. I had a lovely hamburger on the aeroplane," she insisted.

Prince Andrew, the second son of Queen Elizabeth II, greeted the visitors at a reception in the Tower of London on Monday evening.

The group headed for Oxford, a renowned seat of learning, yesterday, before hitting the nearby Bicester Village retail park.

Last month China gave the green light for its citizens to go on organized tours of Britain. Previously only business travelers and students had been authorized to make the trip.

A similar agreement covering most European countries came into effect in September last year, but the United Kingdom was not a signatory.

Tourism professionals believe China, with a rapidly expanding and affluent middle class, offers huge potential as a source of visitors.  

(China Daily July 27, 2005)