Chinese Ethnic Culture Park (China Ethnic Museum)

Located in the southern section of the Olympic Park, the Chinese Ethnic Culture Park in Beijing is a large culture base combining an introduction to culture, singing and dancing performances, traditional housing and art and craft while providing the opportunity to experience ethnic flavored cooking of 56 ethnic groups.

China is home to 56 ethnic groups. Various ethnic groups present different kinds of living styles and customs, all contributing to China's vibrant culture.

The Chinese Ethnic Culture Park, also known as the China Ethnic Museum, has already completed displays for over 40 ethnic groups. A large number of ethnic culture relics and articles from daily use are exhibited in order to reflect authentic living conditions of each ethnic group. For example, the building of Han People, the largest ethnic group at home and abroad, is a cave-house composed of three courtyards. It is a typical Han cave found within Mizhi County of Shaanxi Province in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Tibetan Museum exhibits typical houses of the Khamba area, a display of Sutra Chanting Hall of the Jokhang Temple, daily-use articles of Tibetan People and many beautiful Tibetan pictures. You can also watch Tibetan-style singing and dancing performances drink buttered tea and sew Pulu, a handmade woolen product used for making clothes and carpet and often present at ceremonies.
 

Dance of Dai People

There are many attractive scenic spots in the Chinese Ethnic Culture Park. The big banyan tree symbolizes the 56 ethnic groups banding together. The Ethnic Bridge which connects the north and south park adopts the architectural styles of Bai, Dong and Tibetan People. The Tenggeli Waterfall which falls from 161-feet (50-meter) high is the biggest man-made waterfall in China. Many typical ethnic architectural styles are available for viewing. Examples include the Tu People's stilt-house, Mosuo People's wooden house, Hui People's cave house and Li People's ship-shaped house. Hundreds of young men from a range of ethnic groups gather together and proudly be the guide to introduce their own culture.

The Chinese Ethnic Culture Park also holds ethnic groups' festivals and invites visitors to join in. The Water-Splashing Festival of the Dai People, the Mongolian's Nadam Fair, the Lisu People's Knife-Pole Festival, Miao People's Sister Festival and Yugur's Harvest Festival win much applause from visitors.

A brook murmurs through little bridges, flowers bloom in the sun, birds sing on the trees while rice and wheat send out fresh fragrance. Strolling in the Chinese Ethnic Culture Park you can feel the strong flavor of the minority groups. It is really a good place to refresh your mind and relax.

Recommended Nearby Attractions:
National Stadium (Bird's Nest)
National Aquatics Center (Water Cube)
 Olympic Forest Park
 Yuan Dynasty Capital City Wall Site Park