National Day 2010 – Events around China

National Day 2010 – Events around China
Sep 18, 2010 By Ellen Schliebitz , eChinacities.com

Those of us lucky enough to have witnessed the epic 60th Anniversary celebrations in Beijing last year hardly need to be reminded of the significance of October 1st. However, this year the upcoming National Day and ensuing weeklong break is (luckily) much more low-key in terms of media coverage. Though the propaganda machine has slowed down several gears in 2010, make no mistake: traveling in China from the end of September until Mid-October will be hell for anyone who despises staggering crowds, seemingly infinite queues at ticket offices and jacked up transport and accommodation prices.

The good news however is that superb cultural events don’t stop during the break. If anything, the period around the “Golden Week” holidays is the perfect time to get out and take advantage of some of the great events taking place across the country. Whether you plan to stay put in your home city or decide to venture to a new territory, this article offers a brief guide to some of the top events taking place around China this National Day holiday 2010

Beijing | Shanghai | Guangzhou | Shenzhen | Hangzhou | Chengdu | Tianjin | Qingdao | Jinan | Wuhan

Beijing :

As the administrative capital and cultural centre of China, Beijing is one of the most vibrant cities to be in during the National Week. Although no official announcements have been made, a military ceremony is usually held in Tiananmen Square involving troupes, political leaders and fireworks. This is usually a no-go zone for visitors however, so the best events to look forward to are those found in Beijing’s countless performance venues, parks and bars. The events round-up below only represents a fraction of what’s going on in Beijing since it’s impossible to list them all in one article.

This year’s National Week doesn’t disappoint in terms of event quality. Two major music festivals will simultaneously kick off in the capital from Oct 2-4th; the 2010 Modern Sky Festival in Haidian Park and the 2010 Inter City Music Festival in Chaoyang Park. Both feature an international and domestic line-up of rock bands and DJs, promising to be two of the week’s biggest musical highlights. More info on these festivals can be found here and here.

There’s also plenty of music and mayhem in store at Beijing’s live music venues, bars and clubs as usual. On October 1st, Yugong Yishan has invited the world’s first “Gansta Hip Hop” puppets from Berlin to reap havoc in the former site of the Duan Qirui government (read more here); while over in GT Banana World class DJ Gareth Emery spins revelers into a state of trance (more here).

On a more patriotic note, the National Centre for Performing Arts is holding a National Day Concert on October 1st, featuring some of China’s most respected conductors. The repertoire includes a mixture of Western classic songs from famous ballets such as The Nutcracker and Swan Lake, but also a selection of Chinese classics taken from iconic communist model operas such as The Red Detachment of Women. More on this event here. The Forbidden City Concert Hall is also staging a National Day concert on October 3rd, which features a night of singing by reputed Chinese Baritones, Tenors and Sopranos. Don’t miss this one if Chinese opera-style signing is your thing (more info here)! Meanwhile, over at Beijing Concert Hall audiences are treated to a night of songs from Western and Chinese movie classics, performed by some of China’s most renowned classical signers (details here).

Other stage highlights during National Week include a concert by renowned German orchestra Concerto Köln on October 2nd, a two-day concert by the Budapest Festival Orchestra from October 4-5th, and a spectacular performance of Swan Lake by the Russian State Ballet on the 5th.

Don’t forget about the 798 Art Festival which runs through until October 17th. There’ll be plenty of art, music and performances throughout the festival period, promising to be one of the liveliest and most creative hot spots in Beijing this National Week.The art district is also gearing up for the 798 International Tattoo Arts Festival from Oct 15-17th so anyone toying with the idea of getting permanent body art may find inspiration here.

Foodies should check out the gourmet bazaar that’s opening along the Olympic Walkway in Beijing from September 22nd to October 7th (more info here). Meanwhile, Yuyuantan Park is another good spot for picking up culinary treats from all over China during the National Holidays (read more here). Last but not least, those wishing to embrace the onset of Autumn should make a trip to the Badaling National Forest Park where the leaves are beginning to turn red, offering beautiful scenes and a romantic day out of the city (more info here).

 

Shanghai :

Shanghai gets musical this National Week as the 2010 Jazz Shanghai Festival kicks off for almost two weeks from October 4-17th at various locations in the city. The event will bring some of the world’s top jazz musicians and bands to the city, promising to be one of the major must-go events in Shanghai this October. 

Fro those looking for something less mellow and sober, the 2010 Paulaner Oktoberfest kicks off at Paulaner Brauhaus from October 1-3rd. The ultimate way to experience German beer culture while at the same time embracing the National Day festive spirit, this event will surely be one of National Week’s more lively affairs. 

Shanghai’s stages are also buzzing with creativity and life this October holiday; The Royal Ballet of Flanders is staging William Forsythe’s renowned ballet Impressing the Czar at Shanghai Grand Theatre on National Day. Performing for four years to standing ovations internationally, the production is famous for its contemporary twist on classical ballet (more info here). Danny Malando and his orchestra will stage their upbeat music and dance combo show at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center on October 1st (details here), while St.Petersburg Ballet performs the world famous ballet Swan Lake like you’ve never seen it before on October 2nd at Shanghai City Theatre (details here).Meanwhile, anyone who’s heard of the Japanese band SMAP will be happy to know that they are performing on Oct 9-10 at Shanghai Stadium (more here).

If you’re craving a Chinese cultural event outside the city, why not check out Binjiang Forest Park during the holidays? There, visitors will be greeted by a BBQ event and live music to celebrate the 61st anniversary of the PRC (more info here). No national holiday can be complete without fireworks! On September 30th, the sky above Century Park will light up to kick off 11th Shanghai International Music and Fireworks Festival (more here). Another “city escape” option is taking one of the newly launched Suzhou Creek night tours. Though you’re still strictly speaking in the city, the boat tour enables you to enjoy the city lights while floating along on water, but don’t expect to get too many tranquil vibes when battling with pushers, shovers and queue jumpers during the national week (more info here). You’ve been warned.

And of course there’s always the Shanghai Expo. As the countdown is drawing closer and pavilions are starting to auction off their buildings, this October might be a good time to give in to the temptation and/or hype and see what the Expo is all about. And, temperatures in October will be significantly more pleasant, meaning waiting times to get into the pavilions won’t be quite as torturous as before. Good luck!

 

Guangzhou :

What are you doing on the eve of National Day? No plans? Why not come sit on the lawn outside Xinghai Performance Art Building on Ersha Island and treat yourself to a concert by the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra? Details here.

The 3rd Xiaozhou Art Festival kicks takes place from October 1-31st in the outskirts of Guangzhou. In recent years, Xiaozhou Village has developed into one of Guangzhou’s new cultural and creative centers, successfully blending traditional architecture and a country atmosphere with creative energy and contemporary art. A magnet for artists, writers, poets and art students, it is little wonder that two art festivals have been successfully held here, with the third one about to kick off.

20 art studios across the village will participate in the event and this year’s special theme is “Safari Park.” Not limited to just art exhibitions, other festival programmes include outdoor theatre, a sound and music fest, multimedia arts, a “creation square”, graffiti events and experimental drama. Artists’ studios will also be open for viewing during the festival. More info here.

Also taking place on October 1st is a ballet production of Cinderella by Les Ballets de Monte Carlo, the official national ballet company of Monaco set up by Her Royal Highness the Princess of Hanover in 1985 (read on here).

Guangzhou beer fans can rejoice this October as the 6th Annual Oktoberfest rolls into the city from October 8-12th. Though strictly speaking, Oktoberfest begins right after your boss expects to see you recuperated and recharged back in the office, there’s nothing to say one can’t have some extra post-National Week fun! The beer madness takes place at Jinhan Exhibition Centre and tickets cost 318 RMB. For ticket info visit the event’s official website at www.gzoktoberfest2010.com.

 

Shenzhen :

The worldwide phenomenon High School Musical makes its grand debut in Shenzhen this October 1st. The hugely popular Disney show will be staged for two nights at Shenzhen Poly Theatre. The show promises to be a huge spectacle with lots of catchy tunes, impressive stage set and likeable characters. Get you’re tickets while you can (more info here).

Also kicking off during “Golden Week” is the Happy Valley International Magic Festival from October 1-7th. An ideal event for the whole family, festival includes 40 magic acts from over 12 countries and regions. World famous magician Peter Marvey is among one of the highlights of the event, as he will be debuting his large scale flying illusion at the amusement park during the festival. More info here.

Another option for the kids is taking them to Shenzhen Children’s Park, which offers an affordable day out with standard amusement rides. It may not be Happy Valley, but lesser doses of adrenalin inducing rides is not always a bad thing. More details here.

 

Hangzhou :

The biggest and most exciting event to take place in Hangzhou during this year’s National Week is the arrival of the 2010 Hangzhou Zebra Music Festival. Fresh from its hometown in Chengdu, this is the first time the Zebra has ventured to the east. For three days, international and domestic bands will be belting out a continuous stream of rock and alternative tunes. Some of China’s biggest names in the rock industry have signed up, including Taiwanese rock star Zhang Zhenyue, Zhang Chu, Wang Feng, Brain Failure, Reflector, Hedgehog and more. International highlights include the Puppet Mastaz from Berlin, who are the first bad-ass puppet Hip Hop crew. More details here.

Another event to take place during the Golden Week is a food night market of Zhongshan Nanlu (中山南路) from October 1st onwards. Culinary treats from 20 countries will be represented at the market near West Lake, including Russian, Brazilian, Indian, Japanese and Spanish cuisine among others. Besides the tasty international flavours on offer, hungry visitors will also have the chance to taste local cuisine and snacks from Sichuan Province, Chongqing and Taiwan. 278 mobile food stalls will be set up for the event, which includes 112 noodle and fried food stalls, 16 smokeless barbeque stalls and 150 stands selling special tourist souvenirs, arts and crafts, antiques and bric-a-brac. The market takes place every evening from 17:00 to midnight at Zhongshan Nanlu.

Nansongyu Jie will become another lively hotspot in Hangzhou this Golden Week, attracting 72 vendors offering over 200 varieties of Chinese food, souvenirs and memorabilia. More info here.

Other news around town is that a new pedestrian walkway is opening in Tangxi Old Town, which is scheduled to open on October 1st. As is the norm, the occasion will be marked by setting up stalls selling tourist stuff and local delicacies. Read more here.

 

Chengdu :

National Day takes off with a bang in Chengdu this year, as the 2010 Jintang International Music Fireworks Festival kicks off. Hordes of local rock bands and international DJs from Belgium, Holland, America and the UK will be keeping silence at bay throughout the two-day event at Jinsha Park in Jintang District. And a fantastic fireworks display will provide a spectacular visual feast to festival-goers. What’s more, the event is absolutely free. Getting there might be a bit of an adventure, but there are two bus routes going to the Jinsha Park; one is the high-speed bus route that leaves from Zhaojue Temple Bus Station (昭觉寺汽车站) to Jintang (金堂) and takes one hour, or there’s the regular bus line that leaves from Hehuachi Bus Station (荷花池) and takes one and a half hours.

Another festival kicking off in Chengdu on October 1st is the 1st Huanglongxi Music Festival, which like the Jintang Festival above takes place over two days. Located in the beautiful surroundings of Huanglongxi Ancient Town about 50 km outside Chengdu, the town has a history of over 1,700 years and is considered one of the top ten ancient towns in China. The music festival itself has attracted a strong line-up of domestic rock and folk bands including Chengdu locals Proximity Butterfly, as well as a brigade of international DJs. Tickets are selling for 100/200/300/480/680 RMB and the festival site can be reached by taking the Pengzu Shan Tour Bus (彭祖山) from Xinnanmen Bus Station (新南门汽车站) to Huanglongxi (黄龙溪).

If going to a festival isn’t your thing, another option could be visiting the cute polar region animals at Chengdu Haichang Polar Ocean World. The venue just had its grand opening this August, so the animals shouldn’t be that fed-up of annoying humans yet. More info here.

Tianjin:

Two interesting facts have been revealed by the Tianjin Cultural Bureau recently; the first is that the city has over 60 registered museums (who would have guessed?), and secondly all of these museums will be open to the public for free during the Golden Week holidays (more info here).

Qingdao:

The Qingdao Beer Festival may be over, but the party doesn’t end there. Happy Carnival & Park Fair will open at Qingdao International Beer Town until October 7th offering amusement rides, a carnival atmosphere and more (read more here).

Jinan:

The City Forest Music Festival kicks off in Jinan from Oct 1-5th. A fairly strong line-up of well known Chinese rock bands and musicians are expected. More details here.

Wuhan:

2010 is the year of the music festival in China and the trend hasn’t gone unnoticed in Wuhan. From Oct 1-3rd, the first ever “966 Outdoor Sports-Automobiles-Music Festival” kicks off, offering festival-goers to drool over cars, camp, try out different foods and of course listen to loads of rock n’ roll. More info here.

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