Visitors to Jiading District will be able to float along a three-kilometer river picking grapes from the comfort of a boat by next year, tourism officials said yesterday.

Now stones have been laid on the banks of the Grape River, which used to be muddy, and the silt has been cleaned from the river bed. Grape seedlings along the banks have grown to full height, and leaves now extend into the river.

"In a year, the river surface will be covered by grape vines that climb down along the brackets, and tourists can enjoy the fun of picking grapes in boat," said Shan Chuanlun, director of the district's grape research institute. Grape River is part of Malu Town's Grape Park, which is expected to cover 30 hectares by the time it is complete next autumn.

The park is expected to cost 32 million yuan (US$4.2 billion) to construct.

To date, the 4,000-square-meter "lovers' grape garden," in which two grape vines of different species are grown together and intertwined like lovers, and the 10,000-square-meter ornamental grape garden have been opened to the public.

In addition, a garden with various grape plants will be built for children, and a fruit garden will be set up with cherry and apricot trees.

A wine club will also be set up in the area, officials said.

( Source: www.shanghai.gov.cn )