Performances

Song and dance

China National Opera and Dance Drama Company has prepared a singing and dancing gala for the Games. Entitled Golden Dance and Silver Songs, it leads viewers through Chinese history with traditional dancing programs. Minority tradition and culture are presented with the songs Qingzang Plateau and Jasmine Flower.

7:30 pm. Tianqiao Theater, 30 Beiwei Lu, Xuanwu District. 8315-6170

Dream of piano

Ten of the most prestigious pianists in the world, Lang Lang, Liu Shikun, Claude Frank, Philippe Entremont, Cyprien Katsaris, Louis Lortie, Vladimir Feltsman, Guillermo Gonzlez, Chen Sa and Qin Yunzhi give a concert with each playing a piece. In conclusion, they will jointly present Chinese composer Cui Shiguang's Festive China.

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

Kunqu opera

Peony Pavilion is a classic Kunqu Opera repertoire. Originating in Kunshan of Jiangsu province, Kunqu Opera enjoys a history of more than 500 years.

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

Exhibitions

Urban sculptures

An open-air sculpture show is ongoing at Chaoyang Park. Entitled Urban Forest, Green Olympics, the show gathers dozens of works created by contemporary artists. Included are bronze sculptures, wood sculptures and those made of recycled waste material.

9 am-5 pm. Inside Chaoyang Park

Buddhist statues

Two shows have been arranged at the museum. The Tibetan Buddhism statues exhibition includes about 10,000 gold-plated copper Buddha statues of different religious branches of the Yuan (1206-1368), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. The other exhibition is about the history of the temple.

9 am-5 pm. Beijing White Pagoda Temple, 171 Fuchengmennei Dajie, Xicheng District. 6613-9073

Canadian artifacts

A collection of Canada's most treasured artifacts are on display at the Beijing Art Museum of Imperial City. The oldest of the150 exhibits is a 10,000-11,000-year-old stone spearhead, while the most contemporary is a fur dance-parka hand-sewn in 2002-2003.

10 am-5:30 pm. Beijing Art Museum of the Imperial City, 9 Changpuheyan Lu, Nanchizi Dajie, Dongcheng District. 8511-5373

Drums and bells

Visit the Shichahai bar area at night time? Arrive early and visit the nearby museum, where visitors can see two exhibitions of ancient drums and 63-ton copper bells from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

9 am-5 pm. Cultural Relics Administrative Office of Drum and Bell Towers, 9 Zhonglouwan, Dongcheng District. 8403-6706