Discover China

On 1 October each year China celebrates it’s National Day, this year marking the 62nd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Find out more in the CNTV Special Feature Happy National Day Holiday.

China’s moon exploration project, Chang’e, was named after a Chinese legend about a goddess who flew to the moon. Since its commencement in 2004, the program has attracted attention from around the world. The first spacecraft of the program, Chang’e 1, was an unmanned lunar orbiter launched in 2007. The second lunar orbiter, Chang’e 2, was launched on 1 October 2010 (Chinese National Day) and is currently carrying out it’s mission of research within the moon’s orbit to lay the foundation for future moon landings and exploration.  To find out more see the CNTV Special Feature – China Launches 2nd Moon Orbiter.

The Chinese people have celebrated the National Day of the People’s Republic of China with pride and passion today, with the world’s most populous nation becoming the second-largest economy after 61 years of development and about to launch its second lunar probe, Chang’e 2.

In Beijing more than 150,000 people gathered to watch a grand national flag raising ceremony, and Chinese President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and other leaders laid flower baskets at the Monument to the People’s Heroes to pay their respects to those who sacrificed for the nation’s independence. In Shanghai, the China National Pavilion Day was celebrated at the World Expo, and many other Chinese cities also organised flag raising functions to mark the National Day. Today is also the first day of the “Golden Week” of the National Day Holiday with millions of people on the move for travels or family reunions.

To find out more and see pictures of the celebrations visit the People’s Daily Online feature 61st Anniversary – The People’s Republic of China.

Daming Palace, located in the center of Xi’an, Shaanxi province, was once the center of politics, economics and culture during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) and has witnessed ups and downs for centuries. Its replica, Daming Palace Pavilion, is standing at the Urban Best Practices Area at the Shanghai World Expo. The renovation of Daming Palace National Heritage Park was listed among the key projects of the Eleventh Five Year Plan. Daming Palace National Heritage Park, once reconstructed, will cover 19.16 square kilometers. The construction of Xi’an Daming Palace National Heritage Site Park will be completed and open to the public on National Day 1 October 2010. Read more in this China Daily Feature.