A primer for 2018 Spring Festival Gala

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The annual Spring Festival Gala hosted by China Central Television (CCTV), also known as “Chunwan,” has become an important part of the Chinese Lunar New Year’s Eve celebration since its debut in 1983.

The four-hour-plus-gala – featuring singing, dancing, crosstalk, sketch and magic show – is considered the world’s most-watched television program.

Each year, the gala provides a creative and excellent extravaganza for Chinese audiences both at home and abroad.

What can we expect from this year’s gala?

Sub-venues

Apart from the main venue in Beijing, this year’s gala will be staged simultaneously in four other sub-venues set in the provinces of Guizhou, Guangdong, Shandong and Hainan.

Zhaoxing Village, Guizhou Province /VCG Photo

The sub-venue in Guizhou Province will be located in the village of Zhaoxing, one of the largest Dong Ethnic Group villages in China. The programs there will highlight the unique culture, customs and charm of the Dong people with a repertoire of dancing and folk singing.

Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (left) and the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom (right) /VCG Photo

The sub-venue in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, will feature the gorgeous night scenery of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the world's longest man-made crossing-sea bridge that links Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao, and the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, an ocean park holding the Guinness Record for the world’s largest aquarium. The scenery and programs there aim at showing the city’s rapid development, prosperity and vitality.

Mountain Tai in Tai'an (left) and ancient gate tower in Qufu (right) /VCG Photo

The gala has chosen two historic cities, Qufu and Tai’an, as its sub-venues in Shandong Province, with the theme of demonstrating China’s profound culture and history. Qufu is the hometown of China's most renowned philosopher and scholar Confucius, while Tai’an is best known for its long history and picturesque scenic spot Mount Tai.

Night scenery of Sanya /VCG Photo

The city of Sanya in Hainan Province is another sub-venue. It's China’s top beach holiday destination, famous for its white sand beaches, clear water, cloudless blue sky and year-round tropical climate. During the gala, a carnival-like atmosphere will take place and tropical landscapes will be shown at Sanya’s sub-venue.

Most anticipated programs

Stars and celebrities on the show are usually a great attraction for audiences. This year’s gala has many programs that can live up to their expectations.

Na Ying (left) and Faye Wong (right) performed during the 1998 Spring Festival Gala. /Sina Photo

The reunion of pop singers Faye Wong and Na Ying, two of China’s most famous and best-selling divas, will be one of the highlights at this year’s gala. This is the second time they will take the stage together at a Spring Festival Gala. In 1998, the two singers performed a song titled “Let's Meet in 1998” during the gala of that year, which became an instant hit then.

Jay Chou /VCG Photo

Jay Chou, the popular and award-winning singer-songwriter, will perform at the gala for the fifth time, singing the song “Confession Balloons” that topped China’s music charts in 2016.

Zhang Guoli /Sina Photo

“National Treasure,” a TV program showcasing the history of China's cultural relics, became a huge hit in 2017. This year’s gala also has a segment for this TV program, during which a special “national treasure” will be revealed and introduced.

Innovative programs

Innovative and creative ideas have been incorporated into this year’s show. You will see the “crossover cooperation” in several programs, which combine acrobatics and dancing, magic and singing, along with sports and dancing.

It is noteworthy that performers of Shaolin Kungfu and Wudang Kungfu, two entirely distinct martial art styles, will take the stage together for the first time.