Beijing Canal Arts Festival Celebrates Culture and Heritage
The 4th Beijing International Canal Arts Festival opened on September 24 in Tongzhou along the Grand Canal. The event emphasizes cultural exchange and tourism.
Beijing, September 27, 2026 – The 4th Beijing International Canal Arts Festival commenced on September 24 in Tongzhou, situated along the Grand Canal. Launched in 2018, the festival aims to foster cultural and artistic exchange between China and other canal-adjacent countries, integrating culture with tourism.
The event, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, seeks to preserve the Grand Canal as a living World Heritage site and transmit its legacy. The opening ceremony, hosted by the Beijing International Cultural Exchange Center, welcomed over 150 Chinese and international guests and artists from nations including Albania, Norway, and Turkey. The festival features 22 performances by 14 artistic troupes from 13 countries, running until September 27.
The opening ceremony included an international program with performances by the Chinese Rongxiang Sanxian Chamber Orchestra, Romania's FETNO group, and Norwegian singer Maria Arredondo, among others. A "Canal × Mid-Autumn" themed bazaar is also open, offering global cuisine, international crafts, and interactive experiences.
Additionally, the video "Beijing Canal" premiered, inviting visitors to explore Beijing's millennia-old canal civilization. The festival aims to strengthen international cultural and tourism exchange, utilizing the canal as a cultural bridge.