With the approach of Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day holiday, the ninth China International Garden Expo in Beijing is gearing up for the climatic peak of its season.

A traditional time for family reunions, Mid-Autumn Day is celebrated on the full moon in the eighth month of the lunar calendar, which falls on September 19 this year.

A number of activities at the Garden Expo with a moon theme began earlier this month.

Organizers said the expo offers the best place for people to enjoy the mid-autumn moon because its venue and surrounding areas include Lugou Bridge and Wanping ancient city. There are also other sub-venues scattered in various parts of Beijing.

The moon over Lugou Bridge at dawn mirrored on the tranquil waters of the Yongding River with the far-away West Mountains as a backdrop has ranked as one of the most attractive sights in Beijing for hundreds of years.

Expo organizers said there will be plentiful activities in the garden and its neighboring areas, especially those related to the local folklore of Beijing.

A stage will be set at Lugou Bridge Square for renowned opera artists, but performances will not be limited to the Beijing artform.

The various provincial and city pavilions in the expo garden offer visitors the local opera they are familiar with or fond of - be it pinju from Tianjin, yueju from Zhejiang or kunqu from Jiangsu.

Folk art and intangible cultural heritage shows will be held in Wanpin ancient city with artists onsite displaying their craftsmanship.

At No 3 Square at the expo garden, visitors can learn from craftsmen how to make moon cakes and "Lord Rabbit".

Lord Rabbit is the protecting god and mascot of Beijing. For many resident children and adults, their memories of Mid-Autumn Day often relate to bringing home a clay Lord Rabbit statue.

Expo organizers said this month's events include not only local traditions, but also embrace elements from the rest of the country and the world.

They said float parades and exotic performances help build the festive atmosphere.

A South African cultural festival is also part of the gala as foreign artists show their own fondness for the moon in their performances. Earlier this month a new guest arrived at the expo park - a giant rubber duck designed by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman. The now-iconic attraction already won over Chinese fans after it was displayed in Hong Kong's Victoria Harbor earlier this year.

In addition to the main venue in the west of Beijing, the World Flowers Wonderland - a sub-venue of the expo - in the south will host a flower fair and other exhibitions.

The garden expo opened in May 18 and is schedule to close in November.

It is the largest international event in Beijing after the 2008 Olympic Games, while the Mid-Autumn celebration is second in importance only to Spring Festival.

The festival includes eating moon cakes and going out to enjoy or even worship the full moon, traditions that have been observed for thousands of years.

zhaoshijun@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 09/17/2013 page12)