Beijing live sites

Beijing International Sculpture Park

Very interesting stone sculptures in the park plus a Mexican folk dance group and local folk performers.

2 Shijingshan Lu, Shijingshan District

Take Bus 73, 389, 436, or 620

to the park

Lianhuachi Park

The park is known for its beautiful lotus flowers. There are 2,200 seats and a Cuban dance group are the top treat.

48 Lianhuachi Lu, Guangwai, Fengtai District

Take Bus 324, 845, or 964 to Liuliqiao Beili, and go northwards about 200 meters to the west gate of the park

Yongan Park (Changping)

Visitors to Changping District might go to the Shisanling Ming Tombs, Juyongguan Great Wall and China Aviation Museum. They could also take in performances from the Folk Art Troupe from Heilongjiang and Hebei provinces, Art Troupe of Shaolin Martial Art School.

Xihuan Nanlu, Changping District

Take Bus 919 sub line 1, 345, Changping line 6, or Changping 22 to Xihuan Nanlu

Performances

Fuwa fun

Fuwa, the mascots of the Games, will take a leading role in the large-scale fairy-tale drama. Performed by the Beijing Children's Art Theater, the story tells how the five Fuwa use wisdom and courage to beat ancient monsters and bring peace to the world. After their victory, all five Fuwa become ambassadors of friendship and peace.

7:30 pm. Andersen Theater, A14 Ju'er Hutong, Andingmennei, Dongcheng District. 6417-0058

Revolutionary dance

China National Ballet puts on the modern ballet The Red Detachment of Women. The performance, first staged in the 1960s, is a milestone for Chinese ballet as it combines Western ballet and Chinese folk dance.

7:30 pm. National Center for the Performing Arts, West of Tian'anmen Square. 6655-0000

Modern movement

Beijing Modern Dance Company brings passion to its classic modern performances.

7:30 pm. Forbidden City Concert Hall in Zhongshan Park, Northwest of Tian'anmen Square. 6559-8285

Exhibitions

Master of arts

Xu Beihong introduced Western oil painting techniques into China in the early 20th century. From the exhibits, including traditional Chinese paintings, oil on canvas and sketches, visitors can trace the evolution of the artist's painting styles.

9 am-4 pm. Xu Beihong Memorial Museum, 53 Xinjiekou Beijie, Xicheng District. 6227-6936

Down and dirty

The exhibitions are arranged according to the structure of the Earth, including mineral and rocks, gems, pre-historical life forms, soil and natural resources.

9 am-4:30 pm. Geological Museum of China, 15 Yangrou Hutong, Xisi, Xicheng District. 6655-7858

Walking with dinosaurs

Exhibitions in the museum include ancient vertebrates, paleoanthropology and dinosaur fossil collected by a Sino-Canadian expedition team. Also on display are paintings of dinosaurs; plus an introduction to the origin of the Olympic flame, which is based on the fire-making skills of our ancestors.

9 am-4:30 pm. Paleozoological Museum of China, 142 Xizhimenwai Dajie, Xicheng District. 8836-9280

Surreally good time

Oil paintings by Chinese artist Feng Zhengquan and South Korean painter Kim Si-ha include landscapes, portraits and surrealistic works.

10 am-5 pm. Gallery TN, 2 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. 8459-9550

Pressure is on

Hu Hua's oil series, Funny Art, is composed of symbolized figures who seem to exist in games and illusionary dreams. Using black, white and gray colors, he explores himself and the world in a colorful way.

10 am-5 pm. New Age Art Gallery, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. 8459-9282