US Chinese art on show in China

Visitors are flocking to Shanghai Museum in their thousands as it marks its 60th anniversary with a huge exhibition of Chinese art - from the US.

Dozens of masterpieces from art museum collections in New York, Boston, Cleveland and Kansas City have been shipped to China for the exhibition, which attracted more than 50,000 visitors in its first week. The exhibition continues until January 3 and is sure to be a big hit with art-loving tourists enjoying tailor made holidays in China.

Shanghai Museum curator Chen Xiejun said the exhibition's popularity highlighted a demand for traditional art and culture, adding: "There are so many people queuing up for the exhibition. This means that apart from the economy and politics, culture is also necessary for social development."

One museum-goer said: "All of these collections are from the United States. It's a rare chance to see them because it's impossible for me to fly to America. It's also a good chance for me to learn more because there are so many collections from different museums."