Tourism Festivals in China

 Yueyang International Dragon Boat Festival

Dragon Boat Race

Date: June 10 to14
Place: South Lake in Yueyang, Hunan Province

Activities: Held on the fifth day of the fifth month is the Chinese traditional Dagon Boat Festival, with Yueyang being renowned as 'the hometown of the dragon boat'. Every year it attracts more than twenty dragon boat teams from as far a field as the United States, Canada, Australia and others who come to attend the competition. Other activities such as tasting delicious foods, making zongzi (pyramid-shaped glutinous rice wrapped in reed or bamboo leaves) competition, the tour to Donting Lake, Yueyang Pavilion and other local competitions and activities are also held that enrich the Dragon Boat Festival greatly.

 1. Jiayuguan Pass International Glider Festival

Date: July
Place: Glider Base of Jiayuguan Pass, Gansu Province

Activities: Jiayuguan Pass Glider Base is regarded as one of the three best glider bases along side ones in Australia and South Africa. During the festival, besides various gliding competitions and acrobatic flight performances, other activities such as an evening bonfire party, local snacks and cultural relic exhibitions are also presented to the tourists. Visitors can fly under the guidance of pilots feeling the stimulation of flight and at the same time admiring panoramic views of the mythical desert and snow covered mountains.

 2. Mt. Wutai International Tourist Month

Mt. Wutai, Shanxi

Date: July 25-August 25
Place: Taihua Town, Wutai County, Shanxi Province

Activities: As one of four famous Buddhist Mountains (Mt.Emeishan, Sichuan Province, Mt.Putuoshan, Zhejiang Province, and Mt.Jiuhuashan, Anhui Province) in China, Mt. Wutai offers elegant sceneries that attract numerous visitors from different countries. Every July when the Mt. Wutai International Tourist Month is celebrated, monks and honored guests gather on this sacred mountain to hold the grand Buddhist ceremony. There are also folk entertainment activities and a Mule and Horse Fair. As many monks from other regions come and impart the essence of Buddhism, Mt. Wutai becomes even more mysterious.

 1. Qingdao International Beer Festival

Date: beginning from the second weekend of August each year and lasts for 16 days
Place: Qingdao, Shandong Province

Activities: Initiated in 1991, it is a grand event combining beer culture, entertainment, sports and trade. Represented in the festival are over 30 types of world-known beers, such as the Budweiser, Carlsberg, Wernesgruener etc. allowing the visitors to sample pure famous beers. The beer drinking match attracts people from many different countries. Not only is this an occasion for people to taste pure beers, many advanced entertainment facilities are offered and good performances are presented to the tourists.

Xinjiang local dance

Visitors can also enjoy themselves on the beach or swimming as they like. The festival is concluded with a wonderful soiree.

 2. Xinjiang Grape Festival

Date: August
Place: Turpan, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Activities: Xinjiang Grape Festival first held in 1990 was to commemorate the opening of the Silk Road some 2,100 years prior. During it, visitors can immerse themselves in the appreciation of the large firework display, acrobatic stunt performance, local dances, and painting and calligraphy exhibition. In addition, they can also participate in the mountain climbing competition, Hami melon contest; visit the Flame Mountain by camel, and picking and eating grape competitions. Many kinds of delicious fruits from Xinjiang along with rich activities held during the festival can satisfy every visitor to his heart content.