Cultural mecca takes shape in Olympic park
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Shrouded in trees, reeds and grass and spotted with ponds, the 11.5-square-kilometer Olympic National Forest Park has become a popular destination for tourists to inhale some fresh air in Beijing.
But the giant park is now undergoing a change in its look as three national cultural centers set to launch cultural complexes in the park, taking a patch of land totaling 25 hectares.
“The cultural complexes aim to promote Chinese cultures by providing a platform for international cultural exchanges,” said Wang Chun, deputy director of Chaoyang District. “They will become a landmark for Beijing, which wants to become a cosmopolitan city in the world.”
One of the projects is the National Cultural Center. The center has one section dedicated to educating children, as well as a research center and a place for cultural exchange forums.
Chen Tingyou, a State Council official who is in charge of the project, called it their “duty” to provide facilities that spread Chinese culture in a way that would make an impact on visitors.
The other complexes also offer space for visitors to shop around, watch films and make their own souvenirs.
The New Olympic Shopping Mall, which opened in late September, visitors not only can make their own arts and crafts, but can also order things designed and made by the staff of the Beijing Arts and Crafts Center.
