This last weekend celebrated the 11th annual Beijing International Tourism festival. The festival featured regional drum performances and a parade of floats from each of the 18 districts and counties in Beijing.
Drum Performance at the Opening CeremonyAttendance at the festival reached record levels, accompanying a 20% increase in tourism to Beijing since last year. This number is all the more impressive since the Olympics took place in 2008. The festival’s closing ceremony highlights China’s penchant for ornate performance. To see the closing ceremony, click here.
The Olympics were Beijing’s debutante ball, earning it recognition as a global metropolis and the focal point of China’s history. In the post Olympic era, Beijing is creating a new draw for tourism by emphasizing its ancient roots and cultural significance.
