Qingdao Festivals - Culture |
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Qingdao Radish & Glutinous Rice Dumpling Fair :: January 9th - 15th of the Chinese Lunar Year Celebrate one of Qingdao's favorite winter vegetables along with food, snacks, and cultural knick-knacks from all over China. This annual festival is held at ChuShuiShan Children's park in ShiBei District near Computer City. Closest Bus Stop: Huang Tai Lu: #2, #5, #211, #218, #305, #366, #21, #209, #222, #301, #320 Chinese Lantern Festival :: January 15th of the Chinese Lunar Year  The Lantern Festival (Simplified Chinese: 元宵节; Traditional Chinese: 元宵節/元宵; pinyin: Yuán Xiāo Jié) takes place at the end of the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year Celebration) on the day of the first moon. This festival, which marks the end of the series of celebrations starting from the Chinese New Year, is the day of the traditional Chinese New Year celebration period. Records indicate that the lantern festival dates back as far as the Han Dynasty (BC 206 - AD 220) when emperor Han Wen proclaimed on this day that all Buddhists should light lanterns to show respect for their god. It is also considered one of China's Valentines days. On this day glutinous rice dumplings with sweet fillings (Simplified Chinese: 汤圆; Traditional Chinese: 湯圓; pinyin: Tāng Yuán a.k.a yuán xiāo) are consumed as a symbol of sweetness, completeness, and unity.Candied Haws Festival @ Haiyun Nunnery :: January 16th –18th of the Chinese Lunar Year  Ending the Spring Festival and begining the day after the Lantern Festival, the Qingdao Candied Hawthorn Festival (糖球会) offers a place to gather and experience some of Qingdao's winter treats. Originating at the Haiyunan Buddhist convent, dating from the late Ming Dynasty, the festival offers different types of popular snacks from around Qingdao. Among these snacks, the most popular one is the candied hawthorn (糖球). The Candied Hawthorn Festival is a huge event spreading out over blocks around the temple. This event lasts for three days and is located at 1 HaiYun Jie in SiFang District. To get there catch bus #319 from Carrefour or #210 at Jusco on XiangGang Zhong Lu and get off at Jia He Lu which is bus #210's terminus. 1st Day - Folk Snack Street Opens (HaiYun Square: morning ) 2nd Day - Lion Dance Competition (TangQiu Square: afternoon) 3rd Day - 7th - Photo Show and Competition (TangQiu Square) Bus Stop - SiFang: #5, #21, #24, #206, #210, #305, #322, #371, #373 Hongdao Clam (gala) Festival :: Early May  Activities are based on the motto 'Visit the fishing village and feel the ocean'. Visitors can get fresh seafood, visit fishermen’s homes, go fishing and participate in other festivities ranging from carnival games to military simulations. Hongdao, with its clean sea and mild current, is an ideal environment for local clams to thrive. A plate of Qingdao 'gala' accompanied with a fresh draft of the local brew is considered by many as the perfect afternoon.To get to Hongdao from the Qingdao's Central Business District (CBD), take bus #605 to XianJia Zhai in ChengYang, then transfer to #118 and get off at Xiao Jia. From there take the "Gala Jie" bus. Laoshan Cherry Festival @ Beizhai :: Early to Mid May  This cherry festival starts in early May and lasts approximately 30 days. The photo at the right was taken at one of the numerous cherry orchards in the LaoShan "Cherry Valley." The Cherry Valley of LaoShan starts at the Yu Kuang bus stop and continues to the quaint little town of BeiZhai. You can take bus #110, #112, #311, or #365 to Yu Kuang or continue on to BeiZhai.The Oriental Cherry Fair :: Mid to Late April The Oriental Cherry Fair with a history of 80 years is held every April and May in Zhongshan Park and Badaguan. There are thousands of oriental cherry trees along the famous "Oriental Cherry Road" in the garden and a large variety of flowers such as magnolias, Chinese flowering crabapples, and tulips are on the show as well. Annual Chinese Cultural Fair (Qingdao) :: Mid June The first ever Chinese Cultural Fair will be held June 10th through the 15th. This annual event will be held every year all over China. During the Chinese Cultural Fair the local museums will have reduced admissions and unique exhibitions that reflect the local culture and heritage of Qingdao. So take the time and "experience Qingdao!" For the opening ceremony Qingdao has planned some special events. International Marine (Ocean) Festival :: Mid July The Qingdao Ocean Festival is held every July with the aim to present Qingdao as a seashore tourist city. The main events include the entertainment programs at the opening ceremony, the amusement activities of marine culture, the marine technology activities, the sea sports, the ocean tourism, and the activities concerning tasting the seafood. Qingdao "Love of the Sea" Tourist Festival is a popular celebration of the public held every July, sponsored by the City South District. There have been 6 sessions since the first session in 1993. The abundant activities such as sport contests, fishing contests, movie shows, and other cultural events attract thousands of people from all over the world. The Summer Arts Festival in Qingdao :: Mid July The Summer Arts Festival in Qingdao is held every August for 1 week, presenting various performances of large scale works delivered by famous artists from all over the world. Qingdao International Beer Festival :: Mid August |
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