Summer has come for real to northern China, a few days after the May 1 holiday it was “lixia” – “the beginning of summer” in the Chinese lunar calendar. Next month, on the day when Lidingoloppet China is held, it will also be the Chinese “xiazhi” which is the summer solstice. The Swedish midsummer festival is traditionally celebrated around this day in Sweden as a tribute to the summer sun and the life force it brings.

Lidingoloppet China brings two Swedish traditions together: the traditional Lidingoloppet terrain running event which celebrates the positive force of running and physical activity, and Swedish Midsummer. It also brings Swedish and Chinese culture together in Changchun, where, except for the traditional Swedish midsummer celebrations on the day of the running festival, you also have a chance to see what Changchun has to offer.

Changchun is the sister city of Mora in Sweden. The landscape of Jingyuetan Park outside Changchun bears much resemblance to the woods around the Swedish town in Dalarna. On the day before the race, participants can stretch their legs on the running tracks in Jingyuetan and then get treated to a Pasta Party. After lunch, a guided tour of the Park and the Siberian Tiger Park will begin. The day finishes with a big welcoming banquet at Shangri-la Hotel

After the race and festivities on Sunday June 21^st, Changchun will have a great Carnival Night at Culture Square where every participant and the people of Changchun is invited.

Monday morning before going back, a bus will take interested to Changchun Film City which is a large theme park which displays the art of film making. It is now also the place of Changchun Film Studio where many movies and TV-dramas are shot. The park has attractions such as four-dimensional cinema, water curtain stereoscopic cinema etc.

Welcome to the biggest running festival in China this year!

Please see the activities schedule with notes under “Program”