“Visit Beijing” Promotion Event Successfully Held in Los Angeles, Showcasing Beijing’s Culture and Tourism
LAPost/Pasadena (September 28, 2024) – The “Visit Beijing” promotional event, organized by the Beijing Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau, took place on September 28 in Pasadena, Los Angeles, at a famous estate. The event attracted nearly 200 representatives from Southern California’s tourism management agencies and mainstream travel companies. It aimed to showcase Beijing’s unique appeal as a travel destination through cultural exhibitions and interactive experiences.
Bennie Mo (Mo Xiaobei), the organizer, delivered a speech (Photo by: Jude Mo/LAPost)
Bennie Mo, a representative from the Beijing Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau, stated in her opening remarks that the event served as a window into Beijing’s blend of history and modernity. It was also a valuable opportunity to foster cooperation between Southern California and Beijing’s tourism industries. She expressed her hope of attracting more American tourists to Beijing to experience the city’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant urban life. Additionally, she emphasized Beijing’s efforts to enhance tourism experiences through modernization and green technology.
Guests watch sugar painting artist Yu Xianglin paint (Photo by: Jude Mo/LAPost)
The event featured a variety of cultural presentations, including an exhibition of Beijing’s scenic spots, traditional Chinese instruments like the guzheng, a Peking opera performance of the Monkey King, and displays of Chinese intangible cultural heritage. Visitors were immersed in a strong Chinese cultural atmosphere through interactive experiences like sugar painting and dough figurine demonstrations, offering them a deep appreciation for Chinese traditional craftsmanship.
(Photo by: Jude Mo/LAPost)
A highlight of the event was a guzheng solo performance by Qingege, a descendent of a well-known musical family, playing “Blue and White Porcelain,” accompanied by her 13-year-old son Zheng Kun performing “A Laugh in the Sea.” Their blend of traditional melodies with electronic music demonstrated the innovation and vitality of Chinese culture. Additionally, the live sugar painting session by Yu Xianglin captivated the audience with the delicate details of the art. A Peking opera performance of the Monkey King, presented by Zhang Ming, founder of the American Youth Peking Opera Troupe, dazzled the audience with his impressive staff skills, showcasing the unique charm of this iconic Chinese art form.
The tourism resources of Beijing were presented through a video that highlighted world-renowned cultural landmarks such as the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and the Great Wall, while also illustrating Beijing’s rapid modernization as a global city. Nearly 500 stunning photographs were displayed, capturing Beijing’s diverse attractions. The video and photos not only celebrated the city’s historical and cultural legacy but also highlighted Beijing’s commitment to green technology and sustainability, portraying a city that is both ancient and modern.
One of the event’s climactic moments was a spectacular martial arts demonstration led by Li Jing, a Chinese-American martial arts instructor who has worked on Oscar-winning films and trained stars like Michelle Yeoh. Along with her students from the Li Jing Kung Fu Stars, she showcased a women’s group sword performance that combined traditional Chinese culture with philosophical wisdom. The performance, accompanied by Li Jing’s lively explanations, earned thunderous applause from the audience. Li Jing noted that martial arts is not just a performance art but a way to pass on the values of Chinese culture, which aligns with Beijing’s spirit of resilience and innovation.
Attendees also had the opportunity to engage in interactive sessions to learn more about Beijing as a unique travel destination. Many travel agency representatives expressed their intentions to promote Beijing as a key destination in the future. Jimmy Delshad, former Mayor of Beverly Hills, and Nancy Pearlman, an ecotourism expert and former LA Community College Board trustee, remarked after the event, “Beijing is stunning; it’s a must-see!” Travel agencies are now planning to develop more travel itineraries featuring Beijing, particularly focusing on eco-tourism and cultural experiences to cater to the growing demand for in-depth travel from Southern California tourists.
Olivia Blodgett, a well-known travel blogger who recently returned to Los Angeles after visiting China as part of a travel delegation, shared her excitement about Beijing: “This trip was unforgettable, with breathtaking views of the Great Wall, the Terracotta Army, and the Yangtze River cruise. Beijing left me awestruck and with memories for a lifetime.”
The event was impeccably organized, from the meticulous decorations to the warm hospitality provided by the student volunteers. Guests enjoyed traditional Chinese snacks, an open bar, and a bilingual hosting team featuring Sky Liam and Jane, who smoothly facilitated the event in Chinese and English. The success of the event reflected the organizers’ dedication to bridging cultural exchange between China and the U.S. A senior media representative at the event posted on social media, stating, “Virtually every major player in the Los Angeles travel industry was present.”
As the event concluded in a lively atmosphere, guests left with a deeper understanding and anticipation of Beijing, a city that combines rich history with modern dynamism. One guest summarized the experience: “The Peking opera, guzheng, martial arts, and sugar painting were all so fresh and new. Many attendees had never seen such performances before. By the end, they were already asking when the next event like this would be held.”
Through this event, the organizers successfully introduced Beijing’s cultural and tourism resources to the Southern California market, strengthening cultural and tourism exchanges between China and the U.S.
(By: Richard Ren/LAPost)
(Photo by: Jude Mo/LAPost)
