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To Dally in the Alley Enjoy the Warmth of a Beijing Winter 50 Things to Do in Beijing New Hotels with New Features Opeing in Beijing Following the Fragrance of Flowers

Travel in Australia This Winter

It's cold, windy and dry in Beijing, while it's balmy and perfect travel weather in Australia. The Australia Tourism Bureau recommends several travel options for tourists from around the world.

For sports lovers, there are the Australia Open, from January 16-29 at Melbourne Park and the International Lifesaving Federation World Lifesaving Championships from February 10-26 in Lorne on the Great Ocean Road, which includes participation by more than 4,000 lifesavers from 30 nations.

Hobart's Summer Festival, beginning January 1, will present distinctive food, wine, entertainment and a great maritime experience. Of special note, Australia National Day falls on January 26, 2006, with Lotterywest Australia Day Skyworks celebration held in Sydney on that evening.

For art lovers, there are numerous art performances, including the Sydney Festival from January 7-26, the National Multicultural Festival from February 6-19, ballet at the Quarry created by Adrian Burnett (one of Australia's leading choreographers) from February 14-March 5, Kings Park Summer Events with outdoor cinema and music concerts, and Adelaide Fringe 2006 (the world's second biggest Fringe festival) between February and March. Two other star performances include the West Australian Symphony Concert in hand with Dame Kiri Te KanawaFor, from January 28-29, and the Leeuwin Concert accompanied with mellow wines during February. For a great family adventure, the Melbourne Zoo offers a close encounter of the wild kind.

Celebrate Lantern Festival at Crap Island
From December 20, 2005 to February 17, 2006, a large-scale lantern festival is scheduled on Crap Island (Xiedao), creating a passionate and carnival festival atmosphere.

The Beijing Crap Island Green Ecological Resort, located on the southern side of Beijing's Airport Expressway, northeast of Chaoyang District, has an area of 3,300 mu (2201.1 square km). Ninety percent of its land is used for planting and breeding, with the remainder set aside for tourism and holidays. The resort integrates farming, animal breeding, processing, tourism, holiday leisure, pastoral sightseeing and organic food production into one.

The Crap Island Lantern Festival will showcase 17 series of silk lanterns made in Shanxi Datong with different styles. These lanterns have been exhibited in countries such as Germany, Malaysia and Israel and are widely adored. Some of the lanterns get their inspiration from Chinese folk tales and classic novels such as the Dream of the Red Mansion. Other lanterns include those welcoming the 2008 Olympic Games. For more information, contact: +86 10 8433 6688/6689