Beijing International Cultural Tourism Festival

It's a high-profile cultural festival featuring everything from folk arts to tourism-related activities. The Beijing International Cultural Tourism Festival (BICTF) is a gathering of people representing diverse cultures from around the world featuring a glittering display of some of the best arts in the world.

Staged every autumn since 1998, under the sponsorship of the Beijing Municipal Government and the National Tourism Administration, with the guidance of the Beijing Tourism Administration and the Beijing Tourism Group, the BICTF has become a yearly fixture in the capital.

This year's event, from September 20 to October 7, will centre on themes concerning China's 55th National Day and the Olympics. Eighteen districts and counties from around Beijing will offer their own unique activities and tours in support of the event.

Schedule:

Parade

Time: 9-11 a.m., September 25

Venue: Yongdingmen to Tianqiao Store

Content: Olympiad, National Day, Sino-French cultural exchanges, Beijing local arts

Photo Exhibition

Time: September 20-October 7

Venue: Henderson Centre

Content: Photos from the 22 Olympic host cities

Tourism Expo

Time: September 24-26

Venue: Sun Dong An Market

Content: 20 countries and regions showing their tourism resources

Beijing and the Olympics

Time: September-November

Content: Chess competition

Venue: Temple of Emperors (Lidai Diwang Miao)

Content: Guinness World- and Chinese-records

Venue: Xiannong Temple

Content: Folk Art Competition

Venue: Huaxiang, Xuanwu District

Content: Taichi and Yoga performance

Venue: Beijing Arboretum

Content: China's Athens 2004 Athletes Show