Beijing locals encouraged to soak up arts and culture this summer

Mascot of Beijing People's Cultural Consumption Season [Photo provided to China Daily]

Since it was launched in 2013, the annual Beijing People's Cultural Consumption Season has offered a rich program of events from July to November, including performances, exhibitions and workshops in both the city center and suburbs.

This year, 200 activities will show the enduring charm of traditional cultures. There will be opera and martial arts, dances, theater plays, art fairs and sport events.

Highlights include a Jingtailan art workshop held every weekend in November, which will teach participants how to apply the Chinese cloisonné blue to porcelain.

The First Laoshe International Drama Festival is now on to commemorate Beijing-born playwright Laoshe, or Shu Qingchu. The program features his classic plays and modern works.

The 13-year-old China International Gallery Exposition will return to the National Agricultural Exhibition Center from Sept 28 to Oct 1. Homegrown and international galleries and institutions will bring contemporary artworks.

Last year's cultural consumption season attracted more than 77 million people who spent some 16 billion yuan ($2.4 billion) on its various events.

To improve its services, the organizing committee invites people to vote for the season's best events and products, including the top 10 creative products, the top 10 tourist routes and the top 10 performances.