Shanghai is in the grip of Egyptian fever once again, with more than 15,000 visitors making a beeline for an exhibition of relics from the land of the Pharaoh at the Shanghai Exhibition Center over the weekend.

So overwhelming was the response that the organizers had to limit the number of people entering the hall for safety reasons.

"There were so many people lining up outside," said Zhu Qi, of the organizing committee.

Zhang Lixing was one among the hordes.

"I have been waiting here for half an hour," the 40-plus middle-school teacher said on Sunday. "It will cost me around 10,000 yuan to travel to Egypt, while here I just pay 50 yuan to appreciate these treasures."

Back in 1999, an Egyptian relics show held at the Shanghai Museum attracted 630,000 people during the 63 days. But this time's exhibition -- featuring nearly 143 pieces -- boasts the largest number of objects ever to travel outside the north African country.

(Xinhua News Agency October 21, 2003)