On April 28, the opening ceremony of the 23rd Shichahai Cultural Tourism Festival and the Lotus Market (荷花市场) took place in Shichahai, Xicheng District of Beijing.

 [Photo via Xicheng District Bureau of Culture and Tourism]

 [Photo via Xicheng District Bureau of Culture and Tourism]

The Lotus Market, which has been fully renovated and upgraded recently, unveiled its new look to the public on the same day. Along the street, various consumption choices, such as the "Summer Cultural Relics Exhibition" at Guanfu Museum, an experience store featuring Hanfu (the traditional attire of the Han ethnic group), Shichahai Cultural Creation Store, Laojitang, Yishiliu and Tongheju, are now available to consumers.

[Photo via Xicheng District Bureau of Culture and Tourism]

Boating on Shichahai has always been a popular summer activity in Beijing. The five cruise terminals of the Lotus Market have upgraded their digital smart operating systems, making it possible to share the information on the number of the cruise ships available at each terminal and intelligent on/off control of the ships. As the weather gets warmer, Shichahai's cruise ships will keep extending their night sailing hours and introduce onboard catering services at the right time.

[Photo via Xicheng District Bureau of Culture and Tourism]

The festival will run from the end of April to October. Over 100 cultural, business, and tourism-themed activities, along with more than 1,000 performances, will be staged one after another.

For the "Cultural Tourism Consumption Season", which is a part of the festival, the "Consumption in Xicheng" (西城消费) platform has allocated CNY 8 million for consumer coupons. During the May Day holiday, users can log in to the above platform and its official WeChat account to obtain coupons, which can be redeemed and used directly during payments.

Sources: China Youth Daily App, Xicheng District Bureau of Culture and Tourism