SHANGHAI, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai on Tuesday launched 25 new tourism routes especially designed for exhibitors and buyers to attend the upcoming China International Import Expo (CIIE).

Shen Chao, director of the marketing department of Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration, said they were "answering to CIIE guests' expectations for better understanding Shanghai and the Yangtze River Delta region through short-term tours."

Cooperating with other cities in the region, Shanghai rolled out five regional routes that cover cities like Hangzhou and Suzhou. One of the routes is designed for those interested in China's "red tourism" (revolutionary-themed tourism) and one for Chinese food lovers as it is the season to eat Chinese hairy crabs.

The other 20 routes are within Shanghai, including eight self-guided ones that allow guests to take buses, metros or ride bicycles to get to landmarks and scenic sites in the metropolis.

English brochures on the new routes will be delivered to the National Exhibition and Convention Center, where the CIIE will take place, and Shanghai's tourism information centers and many hotels.

So far, more than 2,800 companies from over 130 countries and regions have confirmed their participation in the CIIE from Nov. 5-10.

Shanghai is gearing up for over 300,000 visitors during the expo, and it is expected that more visitors will travel to cities in the Yangtze River Delta.