Events in Chengdu

Western China International Fair

The Western China International Fair originated from the Western Development, China's plan to develop its western regions, and was first established in May 2000, adhering to the concept of "jointly holding, sharing, and mutual-benefit."

It is a national and international comprehensive expo undertaken by the Sichuan provincial government, and has been consecutively held for 16 sessions. After its long-term development, the fair has become a significant platform for the opening-up of China’s western region. It is also an important forum for the country’s investment promotion, trade cooperation, and diplomatic service in the western region. In addition, it is regarded as a crucial channel to realize western cooperation, east-west cooperation and Sino-foreign cooperation. In March 2015, it was included in the national strategy white paper of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and became one of the ten national key exhibitions to promote the construction of the BRI.

Chengdu Smart Industry International Expo

Jointly held by the Chinese Institute of Electronics, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Sichuan Council, and the Sichuan Association for Science and Technology, the China (Chengdu) Smart Industry International Expo is held annually, highlighting the developing focus and consumption trend of smart technology industries.

The aim of the Expo is to create an international platform for display and demonstration, investment attraction, equipment purchasing, technical cooperation, brand promotion, innovation, and entrepreneurship of smart technology industries.

Chengdu International Modern Industrial Technology Expo

Chengdu International Modern Industrial Technology Expo (CMIT) is one of the most professional industry exhibitions in the southwestern region of China, and has been consecutively held for six sessions.

As a crucial exhibition supported by the government, it mainly focuses on the construction of the BRI, integrating into the national development strategy, while simultaneously promoting the upgrading of traditional industries and accelerating their development.

At present, the CMIT has attracted more than 1,300 exhibitors and 114,297 professional visitors during the past few years, with a turnover of 5.3 billion yuan.

Chengdu Environmental Protection Expo

Chengdu Environmental Protection Expo (CDEPE) is also known as the largest environmental protection exhibition in western China, acting as a bridge between southwest China and the international green technology industry.

CDEPE highlights direct access to the fast growing green technology market of southwest China, and one-on-one matchmaking opportunities with Chinese buyers. It is rich in content with technical forums and international workshops that take place adjacent to the show. Focused on B2B and B2G matching opportunities, the expo boasts strong local institutional support, as well as the participation of government bodies and industry associations.

Chengdu International Festival of Intangible Cultural Heritage

The Chengdu International Festival of Intangible Cultural Heritage is the one and only international cultural festival brand in China with the theme of intangible cultural heritage. Its first event was held in 2006, following approval from the State Council.

It is also the only domestic international cultural activity sponsored by UNESCO and the only national cultural and art festival in Sichuan province, showcasing the splendid and unique intangible cultural heritage art forms from all over the world, demonstrating the great efforts and fruitful achievements made by the Chinese government in the field of intangible cultural heritage protection.

During the festival, various activities will open to the public, including a grand parade, an intangible cultural heritage expo, an international forum, and a series of drama performances, attracting numerous visitors from all over the world to come.

Chengdu International Food & Tourism Festival

Chengdu International Food & Tourism Festival is a grand folk festival with distinctive local characteristics, which is fully supported by the Chengdu municipal government. After several years of evolution, it has become Chengdu’s “city card” as its first festival brand.

It aims to promote the city’s catering and tourism industries, and strives to create the concept of “Chengdu lifestyle,” calling on more tourists and citizens to participate in its experience.

Period: National Day Golden Week

Dujiangyan Qingming Water-Releasing Festival

The water-releasing festival is a ceremony dating back 1,000 years. It celebrates the completion of the Dujiangyan irrigation system and commemorates its designer Li Bing. The organizer usually hosts a series of tourism activities during the festival.

At the ceremony, actors imitated the ancient engineer Li Bing and his subordinates as they inspected the Dujiangyan irrigation system. Li Bing is the designer of the Dujiangyan irrigation system, and he served the state of Qin (221-206 BC) as an administrator. In May 2006, this folk custom was included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage list approved by the State Council.

According to historical record, the dam has stood for nearly 2,300 years, diverting water to irrigate nearly 70,000 hectares of farmland that produces almost one-third of the province's grain. It is considered to be the oldest functioning water-control project in the world.

Period: Qingming Festival, Tomb Sweeping Day, the fourth or fifth day of the fourth lunar month.

Huanglongxi Fire Dragon Festival

As the most renowned and traditional folk activity in Huanglongxi town of Shuangliu district, Chengdu, Sichuan province, the Huanglongxi Fire Dragon Festival first originated from the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) and became pervasive in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), while being passed on from generation to generation in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).

There are a variety of activities taking place during the festival including the famed fire dragon dance, a colored dragon dance, a lion dance, Sichuan opera performances, floating river lanterns, and flying Kongming lanterns, as well as plenty of fireworks and firecrackers being set off.

Period: From the second day to the fifteenth day of the first lunar month

Chengdu International Peach Blossom Festival

First held as a flower-viewing party in 1987, the Chengdu International Peach Blossom Festival has grown increasingly larger in stature and was officially named in August 2001, under the approval of the National Tourism Administration, attracting thousands of tourists for sightseeing.

During the festival, there are not only large-scale art performances, but also flower exhibitions, investment talks, and a water dragon festival in which a dragon dance is performed in a shower of water.

Period: Mid-to-late March