QINGDAO: The 2007 Qingdao International Regatta is in full swing. More than 300 competitors from nearly 50 countries and regions are vying for medals, and the exceptional spectacle provides a feast for the eyes.

Qingdao is the first city in China to open its Olympic venues to the public, with tens of thousands of people attending the regatta.

"It's a hard-won chance for Qingdao to hold the 2008 Olympic Sailing Competition. From the TV and newspapers, I know Qingdao is building up its image of a 'Sailing City'. Standing here, I find Qingdao is far more astounding than expected," Zhao Chunhui from Shenzhen said.