June:
Yueyang International Dragon Boat Festival
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 the Dragon Boat Festival 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 the festival
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.
July:
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
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.
August:
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, Qingdao International
Beer Festival 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 a festival for people to taste pure beers, many
advanced entertainment facilities are offered and good performances
are presented to the tourists. Visitors can also enjoy themselves
on the beach or swimming as they like. The festival is concluded
with a wonderful soiree.
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 the festival, 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.
