THE Shanghai Shopping Festival, an essential part of the Shanghai Tourism Festival, will open on Sunday and run until October 8, officials said yesterday.

Nearly 100,000 branches of 650 companies will take part in the festival all over the city's 18 districts and Chongming County, said the organizing committee.

The shopping festival not only includes shopping - but also food and entertainment. Exhibitions of traditional and well-known local brands and imported products, and forums on commerce will also be held.

The Shanghai Tourism Administrative Commission will launch a "restaurant passport" and a "shopping passport" to give discounts at some local stores and restaurants. The passports will be available at the commission's tourism offices.