Tour of Chaoyang

About 45 expatriate residents or visitors to Beijing were treated to a special tour Chaoyang District on January 29.

The Tour Chaoyang for a Feel of Beijing group included His Excellency Anmar A.H.N. Al-Hmoud, ambassador of The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Cultural Affairs Counsellor Catalina Nicolae of the Embassy of Romania, other members of the diplomatic community, and other residents or visitors to China's capital city.

Chaoyang District Governor Chen Gang welcomed those who joined the tour for an afternoon visit to the Chaoyang District Government Headquarters, the Gaobeidian Classical Furniture Market, the 798 Art Space in Dashanzi and to the Peking Opera Photography Centre.

At the government headquarters, visitors viewed a video about Chaoyang and the rapidly developing CBD area within the district (Beijing's Central Business District) and a "sand table" showing the futuristic plans for the CBD.

In Gaobeidian, visitors were treated to a briefing on how classical Chinese furniture is made and a performance by an energetic group of "gaoqiao" (stiltwalkers) celebrating the then upcoming Year of the Rooster.

Modern art was next up on the tour as the group visited the 798 Space, the 798 Photo Gallery, Sit gallery and restaurant in the 798 Art Space in Dashanzi.

At the Peking Opera Photography Centre, visitors were given demonstrations in the art and lore of Peking Opera and were shown how performers don makeup and costumes for opera performances.

Participants were given certificates commemorating the event by Deputy Director Xiong Yumei of the Beijing Tourism Administration.

"It was a nice introduction," Australian photographer Izabela Pluta said. "The 798 Art Space was fantastic and it was fun seeing it for the first time with a group because we had the staff to show us around.

"It was an honour to get to meet the Chaoyang officials and the video about what's happening in the district was great."