Pingtan (CNS) -- With an exhibition area of 66,667 square meters, the 2011 Pingtan Sandbeach Cultural Festival and Cross-strait Music Season, the biggest of its kind in China, is entering a trial period in Pingtan, Fujian Province, August 12.
Completed on the 11th, the thirty works on display have consumed a sand volume of 15,000 cubic meters.
According to the management office of the Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Zone, the festival, to be held from August 15 to October 8, is the first large-scale tourism event here. Aimed at being the best festival of all, it has combined the beauty of Taiwan folk music and Pingtan sand sculptures.
With the theme "Sunshine Strait, Fashion Beach," the works are divided into three categories: "Harmonious Strait," "West Coast Gallery," and "Common Home." Some of the works on display are the "Sea Patrol of Lin Zexu," a respectable patriotic officer in late Qing Dynasty (1644AD – 1911AD), and "Zhenghe's Voyage to the West," an official during the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644); famous tourist attractions in Taiwan such as Ali Mountain and Sun Moon Lake; national hero Jiang Jiyun; a cross-strait bridge and the gorgeous local history of Pingtan.
In the center area of the exhibition garden, a ten-meter tall sand statue of Matsu has been nearly completed.
A colorful sand sculpture of the festival's mascot, a mythical creature called a qilin, stands at the entrance of the art garden.
A unique interactive opportunity for visitors to experience sand art is provided in a themed zone, a business zone, and an art zone.
Besides the artwork part, other highlights will bring visitors closer to the well known sites across the strait, including an ethnic-style Taiwan Strait Musical Season and the promotion of sand art-oriented tourism.
It will be an even more satisfying visit with folk performances, a 100-meter calligraphy scroll display, as well as Kongming Lanterns and drifting bottle activities.
