Shanghai tourism authority plans to issue more than 1.2 million of the "passports" to benefit tourists from foreign countries, neighboring provinces as well as local residents.

People can get these "passports" for free at district tourism information centers. The authority will also hand them out during promotional activities.

The "passports," which provide discounts to more than 140 destinations in the city's 19 districts and county, will be published under one of seven themes, including countryside holiday, the birthplace of the Communist Party of China, science and discovery, food, shopping, city classics and culture and museum.

The first batch of the "passports," themed "countryside holiday," covers 20 tourist destinations in the city's suburban area.

In most of the city's destinations, three people can enjoy the benefits with just one "passport." They can also be kept as souvenirs.

The valid period of these "passports" is from February 1 to December 31, 2007.