Authentic Bavarian beer and vignettes of German culture await visitors to China World Hotel's first Oktoberfest, from Oct 7-16.

The hotel, that is managed by Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, will set up a big tent that can accommodate 500 people.

Marcus Bauder (right), resident manager of China World Hotel, and John Rice (second from left), area manager and general manager of the hotel, with the service team of the Oktoberfest at its inauguration. provided to China Daily?

Its resident manager Marcus Bauder, a German native, says the idea behind Oktoberfest is to share this traditional festival of his country with more Chinese.

Its biggest draw is its offering of Weihenstephan beer, made at the world's oldest brewery. Freshly brewed beers will be imported and preserved for the duration of the festival under conditions that will be monitored by German experts.

Authentic Bavarian food, carefully prepared by German chefs of the Shangri-La hotels, is another attraction. The lavish buffet will highlight Bavarian sausage salad, crispy pork knuckles, pickled white cabbage (sauerkraut in German) as well as Obatzda, or cream cheese, and chives paired with red onion.

The Bavarian Beat Boy band will fly in to perform at the festival.

"We want to bring to China an authentic Oktoberfest," Bauder says, and in the spirit of this will make sure that the iconic Oktoberfest biscuit - gingerbread hearts - is also made available.

The festival will also open the way it does in Munich, with a small parade from the hotel to the tent with music and a big beer keg.

Bauder estimates the 10-day revelry will see packed crowds.

"Unlike the formal, serious event of a luxury hotel, Oktoberfest allows us to do something different, something a bit more casual and fun," Bauder says, adding the hotel intends to make it an annual event.

He reveals that Oktoberfest is just one of the new activities the company has in mind to bring more vitality to the area where the hotel is located.

"There will be more (new activities) coming in the future," he says.