Shanghai residents will have their own golden beach, and they will no longer have to take a long trip to Hainan Island to enjoy golden sand, as Fengxian Bay will be open to the public on July 13, Shanghai Evening Post reported today.

The city transported 120,000 tons of golden sand from Hainan Island, which covers the coastline of the 3 square kilometer manmade bay, and imported weatherproofed wood from New Zealand to build a 2,000 meter staircase.

The beach area is surrounded by a 30 meter green belt, including palm trees.

Visitors will likely be charged a 50 yuan (US$6.25) admission fee.

If it is a success, officials plan to expand Fengxian Bay another 30 square kilometers.

Located in the southwest of Shanghai, Fengxian boasts a 31.6 kilometer coastline - the longest of any district in the city.

The bay faces the East China Sea and Hangzhou Bay.

Fengxian Bay Tourism Committee, which is responsible for the project, said the district has abundant tourism resources and it is a good place for residents to spend a holiday.

The district's officials got the idea to build an artificial bay and beach three years ago. Construction work began last October.

After the expansion is complete, people will be able to sail yachts in the bay. But due to the huge investment needed, officials said the expansion won't start for several years.

(Shanghai Daily June 30, 2006)