US EUROPE AFRICA ASIA 中文
China / Society

SW China to welcome Oktoberfest in May

By Li Yu and Peng Chao in Chengdu (chinadaily.com.cn) Updated: 2014-04-04 13:59

Munich Beerfest, or Oktoberfest, one of the world's three most famous beer festivals held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, will make its its first appearance in Chengdu, capital of Southwestern China's Sichuan province, in may.

"It will be the first time that Munich Beerfest comes to China's central and western regions," said Zeng Min, deputy secretary general of Chengdu municipal government, at a press conference.

Zeng said the event will last 17 days, from May 22 to June 7, at the Chengdu International Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Park.

Tang Dongmin, general manager of the Oriental Munich (Dalian) Cultural Industry Ltd, one of the assisting organizers of the event, said visitors can have a taste of HB Royal Beer, the oldest and most famous German beer during the carnival.

"Beers specially prepared for the event are now in massive production, and will be directly delivered from Germany to the site to guarantee fresh taste," he said.

Tang said he is confident about the beer supply, for there have prepared 300,000 liters beers and an emergency plan.

To better present the Bavarian culture, a tent covering 11,000 square meters will be built. The largest single beer tent in the world will be able to accommodate 12,000 visitors, according to Tang.

German waitresses and the most famous exclusive live band will also come to Chengdu.

Oliver Berwick, mayor of Munich, said the Oktoberfest each year would welcome about 7 million visitors from all over the world.

Visitors consumed in total 6 million liters beer, 114 oxen, 58 veal, and 500,000 toasted chickens during last Oktoberfest. The total sales volume of beers, retailing and the recreation section stood at over 400 million euro.

Liu Qiang, director of the Chengdu Tourism Bureau, said Chengdu will make the event a new brand for Chengdu tourism. It is expected to welcome 600,000 visitors next year, and over one million in 2016.

Highlights
Hot Topics
...