ONE of the world’s biggest luxury cruise liners, the Diamond Princess, reached Qingdao Oct. 3, bringing nearly 3,000 tourists from all over the world to the city.

More than 30 buses took the tourists to local attractions, including the Eight Passes, Little Fish Hill Park and Qingdaoshan Park.

Qingdao will set aside 1 billion yuan (US$149 million) to build an international cruise liner pier, the largest of its kind in northern China, to boost its tourism industry. (Jane Lai)