Unprecedented interest from visitors has forced the organizer to extend an exhibition in memory of the Long March of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army led by the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 1934-36.

The exhibition, which was originally planned to run from October 16 to November 24, has been extended to December 10, according to the organizer.

By Friday, the scheduled last day for the show, the number of visitors had topped 1.7 million. Over 65,000 notes have been left in visitors' books.

For 40 days, visitors from across the country have been queuing to enter the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution, in central Beijing, while eight hotlines were opened to take calls. Facilities like wheelchairs were available for those in need.

Experts and scholars attending a workshop on Friday said the show was an example of a successful large-scale theme exhibition.

(China.org.cn, Xinhua News Agency November 25, 2006)