Art beat in March

The calligraphic art of Chairman Mao

The National Museum of China's exhibition Mao Zedong, the Great Master marks the late chairman's proficiency of calligraphy and poetry, displaying 120 copies of Mao's calligraphic works of his own poems and classic Chinese poems, which come from the Central Archives. Mao is widely recognized as a calligraphy master of the 20th century, whose highly personal style is researched and practiced by calligraphy lovers today. Also on show are sizable paintings and figurines of Mao, which demonstrate the evolving fashion to depict the leader, from being "red, bright, shiny" to embracing more humanistic touches.

9 am-5 pm, closed on Mondays, until March 30. National Museum of China, east to the Tian'anmen Square, 16 East Chang'an Avenue, Dongcheng district, Beijing. 010-6511-6400.

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Author's other work

Liu Sifen is best known as the author of the three-volume historic epic Baimen Liu (Madam Liu), which took him 16 years to complete and won him China's top Maodun Literature Award. His other work consists of poetry, calligraphy and Chinese painting. His solo exhibition at the National Art Museum of China celebrates his artistic and poetic accomplishments, for which he is ranked as a representative of contemporary Chinese literati painting. He displays more than 70 landscapes, figure paintings and calligraphy works of his poems, many of which draws inspiration from Baimen Liu.

9 am-5 pm, until March 15. National Art Museum of China, 1 Wusi Dajie (Avenue), Dongcheng district, Beijing. 010-6400-1476.

Mount Changbai art

Mount Changbai, boasting looming forests, clusters of hot springs and the breathtaking Tianchi Lake, is truly the jewel of northeastern China. The scenic spot also provides an infinite source of inspiration to local painters such as Wang Qinghuai and Sun Tianmu, who pioneered the establishment of the Mount Changbai painting school in the 1960s. An exhibition at the National Academy of Painting's gallery shows why the school has become an important force in the Chinese art scene today, with a display of more than 130 ink paintings of landscapes.

9 am-4 pm, until March 15. Gallery of the China National Academy of Painting, 54 Xi Sanhuanbei Lu (Road), Haidian district, Beijing. 010-6841-1369.

Charcoal paintings

Wang Shouzhi, an expert in design, painted a complex of villas in the Dongshan area in Guangzhou based on his childhood memories. The charcoal paintings look like ink-brush works. The unique style of charcoal painting is used to draw the audience into the romantic atmosphere in the tranquil area. Many old Dongshan villas that blend Chinese and Western architectural styles are now art galleries and cafes.

Opening ceremony: 3 pm, March 15. Exhibition: 10 am-10 pm, daily until April 16. Kui Yuan Gallery, 9 Xuguyuan Lu (Road), Yuexiu district, Guangzhou. 020-8765-9476.

German orchestra

One of the most celebrated orchestras in the world, the Gewandhausorchester has a history of more than 250 years. The symphony from Leipzig, Germany, will present two concerts led by its roster, or music director, Riccardo Chailly. Mahler's Symphony No 7 will be performed on March 14, while Ruy Blas Overture by Mendelssohn, Piano Concerto No 5 Emperor by Beethoven, featuring pianist Nelson Freire, and Symphony No 5 by Shostakovich will be played on March 15.

7:30 pm, March 14, 15. Shanghai Oriental Art Center-Opera Hall, 425 Dingxiang Lu (Road), Pudong New Area, Shanghai. 021-6854-1234.

Beijing Cultural treasures

The Cultural Palace of Nationalities is showcasing some of its best collections in celebration of the annual legislative and political advisory sessions. The exhibition is divided into three sections, showing about 200 cultural relics, ancient books, paintings, calligraphy and clothes of the 54 ethnic groups in China. The Cultural Palace of Nationalities is one of the largest collectors of ethnic cultural relics in China.

9 am-5 pm, until March 20. The Cultural Palace of Nationalities, 49 Fuxingmennei Dajie (Street), Xicheng district, Beijing. 010-6602-4433.

French music

Bands from France and French-speaking areas of Switzerland and Canada will perform in Guangzhou on March 20. There will be a variety of musical genres on offer, including gentle folk and country music by Chantal Archambault from Canada, rap by Greis from Switzerland and rock by Epsylon from France. The Mars en Folie concert is part of the celebration for the 50th anniversary of the Sino-French diplomatic relations. The concert will tour to 14 Chinese cities and kicked off in Tianjin on March 5.

6:30 pm, March 20. Leung Kau Kui Hall, near the South entrance of Sun Yat-sen University, 135 Xingangxi Lu (Road), Haizhu district, Guangzhou.