International Water Carnival makes a splash

By Zhuan Ti | China Daily | Updated: 2016-09-28 08:04

"It was so exciting!" said a visitor who just stepped off a motorboat at the China Liuzhou International Water Carnival. Under the guidance of professional coaches, he had just tried an exhilarating water game.

The carnival opened on Sept 12 and will run until Oct 7 in Liuzhou, a city with a history of 2,100 years in South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

Besides the motorboat game, various performances and activities such as parades, shows and a gourmet festival will be presented during the 26-day gala.

This year's carnival has four major sections, including parade and cruise performances, lantern shows on the water, the high-tech festival and the Sino-Italian cultural exchange week.

The lantern displays, subsidized by Bank of Liuzhou, created a haunting atmosphere by integrating elements of a traditional Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival with a French light show.

The high-tech festival provides an interactive experience for visitors and demonstrates the dynamics of the city.

During the Sino-Italian cultural exchange week, Italian visitors will be invited to Liuzhou for in-depth exchanges between Liuzhou's international partners and this charming city.

In addition, there will be more newly designed and exciting events this year, such as classy motorboat and dragon boat races.

"This year's water carnival will have the themes of benefiting residents with cultural activities, and water entertainment," said Li Wei, general manager of Liuzhou Cultural Industry Development Co Ltd, organizer of the event. "We hope to forge a 'capital of water sports and entertainment'."

At a news conference held by Liuzhou Cultural Industry Development Co Ltd on Sept 5, some investment projects linked to the carnival were announced.

Facilitated by local resources and Liuzhou people's creativity, the carnival is becoming a key brand for the city since it started five years ago, said local officials. They added that the event has promoted the growth of Liuzhou's economy, society, culture and tourism, among other aspects.

"With five years of experience since 2011, China Liuzhou International Water Carnival has become a grand festival of leisure and entertainment for Liuzhou residents and a platform of communication between Chinese and foreign water sports lovers," said Jiao Yaoguang, deputy mayor and director of Liuzhou's department of communications. "The carnival has become a name card for Liuzhou, and will help to attract visitors, promote consumption and help the growth of the service industry."

This year, the carnival aims to promote itself onto the international stage.

For the first time, the carnival has established official online shops this year, cooperating with China's popular social media application Wechat and e-commerce platform Meituan.

They added that, throughout the carnival, Liuzhou has cultivated a broader space for win-win cooperation with its global partners, as well as all-round economic and social development for local people.

Activities, events and highlights

Oct 1-4: Interactive high-tech carnival

Oct 1: Carnival parades and cruise performances Oct 2-3: Classy motorboat grand prix

Until Oct 7: Photography at the water carnival

Oct 1-5: Green water carnival, experiencing the motorboats

Until Oct 5: Green water carnival, experiencing the sailing ships

Sept 30-Oct 5: IAC world water sports competition

Until Oct 7: The second lantern show in Liuzhou

Oct 1-5: The second Sino-Italian cultural exchange week

Oct 1-5: Hawaii boat rally around the river

Oct 1-5: UFO boat trip around the city

Oct 1-5: Parent-child activities on the water