What’s on in Beijing

Longqing Gorge Ice and Snow Festival photo

Longqing Gorge Ice and Snow Festival

Mid January to Mid February 2024

Longqing Gorge in Yanqing County, 56 miles (80km) north of Beijing

Those in Beijing between January and March should make a point of it to visit the magical Longqing Gorge Ice and Snow Festival, where they can marvel at a winter wonderland of intr…

Longqing Gorge Ice and Snow Festival

Mid January to Mid February 2024

Longqing Gorge in Yanqing County, 56 miles (80km) north of Beijing

Those in Beijing between January and March should make a point of it to visit the magical Longqing Gorge Ice and Snow Festival, where they can marvel at a winter wonderland of intricately carved ice sculptures and ice lanterns, while fireworks turn the gorge into a colourful light show. Visitors can also try their hand at ice-fishing, tobogganing, ice-skating or various other snow sports, and get lost in an ice maze. Looming spectacularly above all the attractions and activities is a 230 feet (70m) high frozen waterfall. There is something on offer for all age groups, making it a thrilling excursion for the whole family just under two hours' drive from central Beijing.

Great Wall Marathon photo

Great Wall Marathon

18 May 2024

Tianjin Province

The longest man-made structure in the world lends just a small portion of itself for one of the most beautiful and challenging races in the world. Apart from the full marathon, whi…

Great Wall Marathon

18 May 2024

Tianjin Province

The longest man-made structure in the world lends just a small portion of itself for one of the most beautiful and challenging races in the world. Apart from the full marathon, which is approximately 26.2 miles (42km), and a half marathon that is about 13.1 miles (21km), there is a Fun Run in which anybody over the age of 12 can participate. The race has two basic sections, one on the wall and another that sees contestants running on reasonably flat terrain through picturesque villages and rice fields. Although much of the Great Wall is uneven, steep and treacherous in parts, the marathon route is even and well-maintained.

Website www.great-wall-marathon.com

Chinese New Year photo

Chinese New Year

10 February 2024

In Beijing, the Chinese New Year is a raucous, colourful and riotous occasion, with boys and girls on stilts, life-sized puppets and costumed carousers singing and dancing in the s…

Chinese New Year

10 February 2024

In Beijing, the Chinese New Year is a raucous, colourful and riotous occasion, with boys and girls on stilts, life-sized puppets and costumed carousers singing and dancing in the streets. The Eastern Mountain Taoist Temple hosts the New Year Temple Fair, where one can find some respite from the revelling in the main hall, which features a Taoist orchestra playing traditional flutes and pipes.

New Year also starts with a bang in Shanghai, where spectacular and loud fireworks displays resound across the city all night. Traditionally, the noise is necessary to frighten off evil spirits for the coming year.

During the national holiday, the Bund and clubs throughout the city are packed with revellers, making for a city-wide party. All over China there are raucous celebrations over this period, making it a truly thrilling time to visit any of the big cities.