Northeast Chinese city Changchun will start to build a museum for Vasaloppet China international cross-country skiing festival this May, said a local official Wednesday.

With a building area of 1,800 square meters, the museum will contain galleries of various winter sports and Vasaloppet China event, said Yang Wenjun, deputy director of the administration committee of Changchun Jingyue Economic Development Zone.

The museum is located on a slope near the ski resort in Jingyuetan national forest park, the main venue of Vasaloppet China, said Yang. It is expected to be open in January 2009, he added.

The 2008 Vasaloppet China festival was launched in Changchun Wednesday. It is the sixth consecutive time that Vasaloppet China is held here, making China the fourth country to hold the event after Sweden, the United States and Japan.

Originated from Sweden in 1922, Vasaloppet is a cross-country ski race that commemorates Swedish King Gustav Vasa, who led the overthrow of the Danish reign.

(Xinhua News Agency January 4, 2008)