Canadian capital lures Chinese tourists
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The 33rd annual Ottawa Winterlude Festival (including the 41st season of the Rideau Canal Skateway) will open to the public from 4-21 February 2011. Since the opening falls just two days after the Chinese New Year, Chinese tourists will be welcomed to join in many Chinese-themed activities and spend the Chinese New Year in the “Canadiana” environment. Ice-carvers from Harbin will also participate in the Winterlude ice-carving contest, showing their Chinese-style art to the world.
“Ottawa’s Winterlude festival does not simply provide winter outdoor fun, but also represents the uniqueness of Canada’s capital city and its celebration of multiculturalism,” says the President and CEO of Ottawa Tourism, Noel Buckley.
The 33rd Winterlude festival includes activities at four major sites: go skating and taste traditional Canadian food on the Rideau Canal (the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, the world’s largest naturally frozen skating rink); see ice sculptures take shape at the Crystal Garden in Confederation Park; take sleigh-rides or enjoy ice-slides at Jacques Cartier Park; and experience the special lighting effects and performances at the Canadian Museum of Civilization.
There are several multicultural activities specially arranged for local Chinese residents and Chinese tourists, in order to allow them to celebrate their Chinese New Year in Ottawa with a feeling of “home.” The Crystal Garden in Confederation Park will collaborate with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Canada, celebrating the Chinese New Year together with various Chinese-style activities including a Chinese lantern show, dance performances, a photo exhibit and tea ceremonies in an Asian yurt. Two teams of Ice-cavers from the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival in China will participate in the Ice-carving Contest, competing with ice-carving artists from all over the world.
Mr. Buckley adds, “The year of 2011 is the first year after the 40th anniversary of Canada-China relations. The ‘China features’ in this year’s Winterlude will be a significant step in advancing the friendship between the two countries. I strongly believe this event will be a wonderful start to lead the Canada-China relations to a new era.”
For events, restaurant listings, maps, hotel packages and more, visit www.ottawatourism.ca
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