Every February and March the Hong Kong Arts Festival showcases some of the best international, regional and local performing arts over a four-week period.

For the 2004 Hong Kong Arts Festival, which will run from February 3 to March 7, citizens of Beijing and Shanghai are being offered a special travel package to Hong Kong to encourage them to take in some of the events.

Priced at 2,290 yuan (US$276), the three-day/two-night package includes round trip airfare between Beijing/Shanghai and Hong Kong and two nights hotel accommodation.

The package is only open to patrons who purchase Hong Kong Arts Festival tickets online through www.hk.artsfestival.org and they can enjoy a 15-per-cent discount for the tickets.

Established in 1972, the Hong Kong Arts Festival has become a well-known international event.

The programme always includes a wide range of operas, classical music, dance, drama, jazz and music from around the world, reflecting the cosmopolitan nature of Hong Kong and its status as an international city.

Over its 34 days, the 2004 Hong Kong Arts Festival will present a total of 111 performances, in 51 different programmes featuring 36 different performing groups.

For the first time, the festival will present a fabulous free outdoor concert on Hong Kong's beautiful harbour front during the opening weekend of the festival.

(China Daily January 8, 2004)