The 19th Beijing International Tourism Festival (BITF 2017), hosted by Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development, curtained up in the morning of October 1. Ms. Cheng Hong, the Deputy Mayor of Beijing, Mr. Lv Shiming, Deputy Chairman of Chinese Disabled Persons’ Federation, Mr. Wang Xiaofeng, Deputy Director of China National Tourism Administration, Municipal officials of Chaoyang District and relevant departments and representatives of embassies in China attended the opening ceremony. Over 5000 guests from home and abroad including journalists watched the performances at the opening ceremony.

Themed “Silk Road Links the World, Beijing Trip Delights the Crowd”, BITF 2017, integrating with “Belt and Road”, will run through October 4, and will bring an art fest featuring regional styles, present rich tourism resources in Beijing for tourists and be the brand image of Beijing as an international city.

Retaining the tradition of festivals in past years, the opening ceremony this year was a grand spectacle. 25 troupes from 18 countries gathered at the parkway of the Olympic Park.

The opening ceremony consisted of five chapters: “New rhyme of the old road”, “Ode of peace”, “Dace of the great time”, “Embrace the world”, and “Splendor of civilization” depicting the Silk Road spirit, i.e., the spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefits. Visitors applauded the wonderful performance from the 25 teams in course of the ceremony.

In addition to the amazing performance, three parallel venues, the Beijing International Flower Port, the World Rose Theme Park and the Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park also have prepared splendid exhibitions and activities for visitors like the First China International Cuisine Carnival, the Chrysanthemum Culture Festival, etc.

Apart from the afore mentioned, a show themed “Touching Beijing with the Disabled” is also a new addition. It will be held at the Beijing International Flower Port in Shunyi District. The disabled people will appreciate beautiful flowers and watch the show performed by international troupes. The activity will enrich lives and help the festival become an engine promoting tourism development and the disabled culture.

The Beijing International Tourism Festival, held for 18 times successfully, is an international and comprehensive tourism event as well as an important platform for culture communication boasting huge influence. Song Yu, Director of Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development, said the event would make full use of the city’s tourism resources, as well as boost its influence.