Abstract: An image-based approach for virtual touring, which employs panoramas and picture-based animation to compose a virtual environment, is presented. Two typical touring behaviors of players, namely, looking around and moving in one direction, are mimicked by using real-time image processing engine. This approach has been implemented in Virtual -Touring sightseeing system. In addition to panoramic views, the system provides picture-based animation for moving forward to the next scene. The paper describes the architecture, authoring tools, and the interactive interface of prototype system.