With its beer-production history, the sandy shores of the city of Quingdao in China’s Shandong Province are the perfect destination to host the annual Qingdao International Beer Festival. From August 11-16, 2012, thousands of beer aficionados arrive at the Qingdao International Beer City to be treated to a showcase of local and global beer tastings, ranging China’s Tsingtao to Holland’s Heinken and USA’s Budweiser.

Representatives from international breweries descend upon China’s largest beer producing region, Qingdao, to give honor to the beer drinking culture by showcasing local, regional and international brews. The venues will echo with toasts of Gan Bei! (bottoms up) while attendees to the annual beer tasting event taste hundreds of beers from around the globe. In addition, to the above beers, sample Germany’s Beck’s, Kirin & Asahi from Japan, Denmark’s Carlsberg, and Corona the beer of Mexico.  

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Millions of tourists attend the Duanwu Festival, also called the Dragon Boat Festival, duanyang, and double 5th by flocking to the Beijing’s waterways. Get to the water’s edge early to watch the officials bring the dragon boats to life by painting red eyes on their “faces.” The boats range from 40 to 100 feet long and sometimes as many as 80 rowers ready to dip their paddles into the water while drummers keep a steady beat at the helm. The finishing line is filled with tension as the winner of the race is often the flag-catcher who can stretch the farthest at the finishing line to grab the hanging flag.  

Water activities and celebrations are located at many Beijing parks during the Duanwu Festival 2012. The festive atmosphere usually continues after dark with firecrackers and traditional dragon dances while the entire city of Beijing comes alive. Other important traditional activities to participate in include: drinking Xiong Huang wine to keep away evil spirits; make charms, amulets or medicine bags; and ensuring good luck for the next year by standing an egg on its end at noon of the Dragon Boat Festival race.

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