Cultural activities abound in Beijing as May Day holiday nears

Captivating cultural and sporting events have caught the interest of residents in Beijing as the city prepares to celebrate this year's May Day holiday, running from May 1 to 5.

The holiday is commonly a time for recreation and travel, and many residents of the city are already embracing that spirit as innovative dramas entice audiences.

The dance drama "Confucius," performed by the China National Opera and Dance Drama Theater, has drawn viewers to Beijing's National Center for the Performing Arts with its artistic retelling of the legendary philosopher's life story.

"I believe it was already a renowned dance drama during my undergraduate years. I had wanted to watch it then. Now, after five or six years, I finally have the chance to see it," said an audience member.

The stage show portrays the life of Confucius as he travels to different states through a series of choreography rich in Chinese elements.

"The attendance at each performance has consistently exceeded 90 percent. For example, the set design featuring the scroll captures the elegance of the literati. The sliding, unfolding, and transforming movements of the scroll create a sense of space," said Kong Dexin, chief director of the dance drama. At the city's Drum Tower West Theater, an immersive live drama titled "Lying Flat 2.0" has been offering a novel theatrical experience by allowing viewers to watch the show while lying down.

"The main feature is allowing the audience to watch the show while lying down. There is only this one viewing option available -- no standing tickets, no seated tickets. All audience members lie on movable beds," said Wang Chong, director of the innovative drama.

In preparation for the upcoming holiday, Beijing is also preparing to launch a series of tourism routes to provide visitors to the city with a fresh perspective.

"Ten niche tourist routes will be launched, connecting lesser-known but beautiful scenic spots with pleasant experiences, including historical sites, museums, and natural landscapes," said Zheng Fang, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism.

The city is also aiming to encourage physical outdoor activity during the holiday by calling on residents and visitors to embark on curated treks that offer a peek into Beijing's rich history.

"We will introduce 100 distinctive hiking routes that highlight the unique characteristics of Beijing by exploring the city's rich historical heritage and natural landscapes," said Shi Fenghua, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau.

Cultural activities abound in Beijing as May Day holiday nears

The first six days of the U.S. military campaign against Iran cost more than 11.3 billion U.S. dollars, the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies reported on Friday.

The sheer scale of Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. military campaign against Iran, is making it one of the most expensive U.S. military campaigns in decades, according to a report by the center.

The report estimates the war is costing over 890 million U.S. dollars per day. The first 100 hours of the attacks which began Feb 28 were estimated at 3.7 billion dollars.

The Pentagon has informed Congress that week one alone cost American taxpayers more than 11 billion dollars.

The biggest expenses come from the deployment of air and naval forces. Air operations are estimated at around 30 million dollars a day, while naval operations add about 15 million dollars daily. Ground operations account for over a million and a half dollars per day.

By comparison, Operation Midnight Hammer, which targeted Iran's nuclear facilities in June 2025, cost up to 2.26 billion dollars, according to media report. The strike lasted just about two and a half hours.

First 6 days of US strikes on Iran cost 11.3 bln USD: report