Agoda Shines in Shanghai during a Total Solar Eclipse

Singapore (SANEPR.com) June 26, 2009 -- On July 22nd, Shanghai moves to the shadows and becomes one of the best places on the planet to view the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st Century. To assist travelers in experiencing this amazing natural phenomenon, Agoda.com has secured the best-guaranteed prices on hotels in the Shanghai metropolitan area. Travelers should reserve increasingly affordable hotels in Shanghai via Agoda.com, and find the perfect spot to take in one of nature’s mystical displays.

The eclipse is predicted to begin with a partial eclipse at 8:23 am. According to the ever-popular Wikipedia.com, the totality of the eclipse (complete darkness) will last for 6 minutes and 39 seconds. During an eclipse the sky changes shade to a deep purple as the horizon is be bathed in shades of orange and red. Then the moon complete obstructs the sun causing the sky to fall into darkness essentially turning day into night. The only light is that coming from the sun’s corona (the outer most part of the sun) faintly glowing around the circumference of the moon.

Mr. Wilfred Fan, Agoda’s Vice President of Business Development, said, “This is such a rare astronomical phenomenon, and one which travelers from around the world are looking forward to. Shanghai will be ready for the spotlight as stargazers from around the world will travel to witness the eclipse firsthand. Agoda.com’s dedicated Shanghai team has pre-negotiated an amazing set of deals at many hotels to help our customers get the most out of this trip.”

“For first time travelers, Shanghai is a unique city with an amazing combination of modern and post-modern architecture mixed with the rich history and culture China is so well-known for. Travelers should take the opportunity to experience the diversity of this cosmopolitan city, indulge in the shopping of Nanjing Road and tour the wealth attractions Shanghai has to offer,” added Mr. Fan.

Blindness is a possibility when staring directly at an eclipse without taking the proper precautions. Therefore, travelers should take note and ensure they wear specifically designed sunglasses with special lenses made for viewing the eclipse and strictly adhere to viewing instructions in order to keep eyes safe.

With nearly 300 hotels in Shanghai, travelers are encouraged to visit http://www.agoda.com/asia/china/shanghai.html to find the best deals available in 21 languages.

Agoda’s special deals and promotions for Shanghai’s total solar eclipse include;

Shanghai Howard Johnson All Suites Hotel 5 Star (Deluxe Suite), rate starting at USD36 (normally USD78)
Promotion: Stay 2 nights to enjoy the 3rd night free

Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel 5 Star (Superior), rate starting at USD75 (normally USD145)
Promotion: Stay 3 nights to enjoy 30% discount

Hengsheng Peninsula Int'L Hotel 4 Star (Superior), rate starting at USD38 (normally USD72)
Promotion: Stay 4 nights to enjoy 25% discount, Book 21 days in advance, get 25% discount

Rayfont Shanghai Xuhui Hotel 4 Star (Superior-King size bed), rate starting at USD43 (normally USD75)
Promotion: Stay 3 nights to enjoy 30% discount

Shanghai JC Mandarin Hotel 5 Star (Deluxe), rate starting at USD93 (normally USD160)
Promotion: Stay 3 nights to enjoy 30% discount

Swissotel Grand Shanghai 5 Star (Classic), rate starting at USD99 (normally USD171)
Promotion: Stay 2 nights to enjoy 30% discount

The Longemont Shanghai Hotel 5 Star (Deluxe), rate starting at USD98 (normally USD170)
Promotion: Book 14 days in advance 10% discount

Charms Hotel 3 Star (Deluxe-King size bed), rate starting at USD57 (normally USD98)
Promotion: Stay 3 nights to enjoy 30% discount

For more information regarding Agoda Company Pte Ltd., please go to the website at http://www.agoda.com or contact the Agoda customer service team via telephone at +66 2 625 9100 or e-mail at info@agoda.com

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Note to Editors

About Agoda Company Pte., Ltd. :

Agoda Company Pte., Ltd. (www.agoda.com) is an online hotel reservations service, which specializes in securing the lowest discount hotel prices in Asia. Agoda.com is part of Priceline.com (Nasdaq:PCLN). Agoda's network includes over 9,000 hotels in Asia and more than 90,000 worldwide. The staff of over 300 professionals, located throughout Asia, provides a first-rate reservation service that uniquely combines local knowledge and local connections to provide the best hotel deals to both business and leisure travelers.

In addition, Agoda customers participate in the Agoda Rewards Program, earning further discounts and free stays. Unlike programs that limit travelers to a single chain, the Agoda Rewards Program allows customers to redeem Rewards Points at thousands of hotels around the globe, at any time. A member of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Agoda's aim is to promote travel by making it more affordable and more accessible to more people.