Intl acrobats gather for China's Wuqiao Circus Festival

Acrobats from around the world have arrived in Wuqiao county, Cangzhou, Hebei province, ahead of the 20th China Wuqiao International Circus Festival, which opens on Sunday.

Regarded as one of the world's most prestigious events for circus arts, the festival will run from Sept 28 to Oct 8 at two locations — Wuqiao, the heartland of Chinese acrobatics, and Hebei's capital city, Shijiazhuang.

According to organizers, artists from nearly 20 countries and regions, including the United States, Australia and Tanzania, are participating.

Authorities said significant preparations have been made to ensure the event's success. The main venue, the Oriental Acrobatics Center, has undergone extensive renovations and is ready for its grand unveiling.

It will feature a special show titled "Dream ? Wuqiao" on Sunday, showcasing both the rich tradition and modern innovations in acrobatics. Final rehearsals are underway to perfect the performances.

Meanwhile, more than 100 international performers are staying at the Yun-Zen Jinling Acrobatics Hotel in Wuqiao, which has been preparing since August to accommodate the influx of guests.

According to the hotel, quoted by Hebei Daily, everything from lodging to catering has been carefully arranged to ensure the artists' comfort and well-being during the festival.