Biz Unusual

Beijing opens world's biggest chocolate show at Olympic Green

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-01-29 11:39

Beijing opens world's biggest chocolate show at Olympic Green

A model wears dress made of chocolate and candy at the "Chocolate Wonderland" opening show, Jan 28, 2010. [Xinhua]

A French Chocolate artist performs at the artwork show in the Beijing "Chocolate Wonderland", Jan 28, 2010. [Xinhua]

Tourists will be able to enjoy the world's biggest chocolate show Friday near the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, as Beijing is transforming the Olympic venue to a creative and cultural center.

The 20,000-sq-m "World Chocolate Wonderland" with five indoor areas and two outdoor sites inside the Beijing Olympic Green will showcase nearly more than 1,000 handicrafts of chocolate and candy, including replicas of 560 terra cotta warriors and a 10-meter Great Wall, said Zheng Yaoting, who runs the show.

People could make their own chocolate artifacts with the help of professionals, she said.

Costing more than $10 million, the show consumed 80 tons of chocolate. The park will last until April 10 when the weather will begin to get warm.

The chocolate theme park is part of Beijing's efforts to utilize the Olympic venues after the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, said Ma Yinghui, deputy director of Chaoyang District Tourism Bureau.