Events

1. Jiangsu Development Summit

The inaugural Jiangsu Development Summit, sponsored by the Jiangsu provincial government, will be held every two or three years, with the aim of strengthening exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and overseas celebrities that were born, have studied, or have worked in Jiangsu.

Also, it is expected to contribute to Jiangsu's economic and social development. The first Jiangsu Development Summit took place in Nanjing from May 19 to 21.

2. World Internet of Things Exposition

The World Internet of Things (IoT) Exposition, held annually in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, is China's largest expo in the IoT field.

Co-hosted by the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology and the Jiangsu Provincial People's Government, the event displays the latest IoT products, and technologies  from all over the world.

Every year, it attracts a large number of government officials, business leaders and experts to discuss a range of topics such as smart manufacturing, smart environmental protection, smart healthcare, information security, big data and finance.

3. Global Future Network Development Summit

The Global Future Network Development Summit, held annually in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, is a high-profile event in the field of global future network that started in 2017.

Co-hosted by the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Nanjing municipal government, the event invites Chinese and overseas government officials, telecom operators, network equipment manufacturers, internet company leaders, experts of leading scientific research institutes, and professional of international organizations to give their insights into the future development of network technology and the industry.

4. China Import Expo, Kunshan

The China Import Expo, Kunshan, first launched in March 2012, aims to develop into a market-oriented international expo that promotes the further development of the import industry in Jiangsu and China as a whole.

The event focuses on new technologies and new equipment that Jiangsu intends to bring in, as well as emerging industries that the province wants to develop.

Its exhibits include cutting-edge products and technologies in fields such as metal processing, environmental protection and consumer goods.

5. Wuxi International Marathon

Wuxi International Marathon is the only full-length marathon held in Jiangsu province. Its route travels through and past many scenic spots and historical landmarks, making it one of the most picturesque marathon circuits in the world.

Entry to the marathon is limited to 30,000 places to ensure participants have access to services during the race such as water and are able to fully enjoy the running experience.

In 2016, the Wuxi International Marathon won the Gold Label Road Race at the Marathon Gala-China 2015 event on Jan 9 in Guangzhou.

A year later, the event took the prestigious move of becoming a member of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS). Membership into the association indicates Wuxi Marathon's augmented status as a globally recognized race.

6. Qinhuai Lantern Fair, Nanjing

The Qinhuai Lantern Fair, which came into being in the Six Dynasties Period (265-581), attracts millions of visitors and residents every year. The Qinhuai Lantern Fair reached its prime in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.

It was said that in the Ming Dynasty, the fair became popular when Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang ordered a spring lantern fair to be held in this region (then the capital) to celebrate both the coming New Year and the prosperity of the country. Since then, this tradition was passed down from generation to generation, to pray for good weather, a happy family, and peace.

Since the 1920s, the fair has been mainly held in the area surrounding Confucius Temple, and usually lasts one month from the first day of January of the lunar calendar. It was later extended into a local folk celebration, which runs into the spring, to spread happiness and good fortune, and enjoy the flowering season.

When the Spring Festival comes, the temple becomes a sea of lanterns. The trees in the temple are ornamented with colorful lights and look brilliant at night. The Lantern Festival is the most charming sight, when lanterns glisten along the Qinhuai River and people gather to enjoy the serenity. Different kinds of lanterns are for sale at the Confucius Temple. Many children sing songs and play with the festive lanterns.

7. The International Plum Blossom Festival of Nanjing

The International Plum Blossom Festival of Nanjing, organized by Nanjing people’s government, was first held in 1996.

The main venue is Nanjing Plum Blossom Mountain, one of the eight most famous places in China to admire plum blossoms. The event is mainly held from February to March, the best time to see plum blossoms in full bloom.

During the event, tourists can enjoy the blossoms and local cuisine, visit art exhibitions, and participate in relevant online and offline activities.

Address: south of Purple Mountain, Xuanwu district, Nanjing, Jiangsu province
Ticket price: 70 yuan ($10) and 60 yuan during the International Plum Blossom Festival of Nanjing
Public transport: Bus Nos You3, 20, 315 or take Nanjing Metro Line 2 to Muxuyuan Station

8. Nanjing Book Fair

Nanjing Book Fair, first held in 2018, brings a feast of books and literacy to readers. The annual event is expected to attract over 100,000 people in 2019.

Famous publishing houses in China, such as Sanlian Bookstore, Chung Hwa Book Company, Commercial Press, Shanghai Translation Publishing House and Shanghai People’s Publishing House, set up exhibition booths at the fair to showcase their latest bestsellers.

Several physical bookstores that are popular on the internet, including Sisyphus’s and Librairie Avant-Garde, also have exhibition areas at the event, allowing people to experience different cultural and creative products.

Address: Nanjing (Xinzhuang) National Exhibition Center
Public transport: Nanjing Metro Line 3 to Nanjing Forestry University-Xinzhuang Station or take Bus Nos 2, 17, 24, 10, 20, 28, 17 and 36

9. The Carnival in Nanjing University of the Arts (NUA)

The Carnival in Nanjing University of the Arts (NUA), first held in 2016, has been held for four consecutive years on the same day, which is May 20, pronounced as "I love you" in Chinese.

Nanjing University of the Arts is the only comprehensive arts institute in Jiangsu province and is also the earliest art academy established in China.

The event, originally known as the graduation performance for graduates of NUA every year, has become a grand feast for locals to enjoy the charm of arts. Various activities such as symphony concert, design exhibition, photography show and dancing performance are performed by graduates from different colleges in NUA showcasing their achievements in the university.

In 2019, some of the activities were held outside NUA, allowing more people in Nanjing to get a closer look at the event.

If you want to go to NUA on May 20, please be aware whether the event requires tickets. Also, please show respect to the works on display and do not damage them. In the year 2018, entrance tickets were required for those who want to participate in the event. The tickets were free but one people could only register for one ticket that year.

Address: 74 Beijing West Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu province
Public transportation: take Bus Nos 11, 15, 45, 56, 65, 66, 75, 302, D15 to Caochangmen Daqiaodong Stop or take Nanjing Metro Line 4 to NAU/JSSNU Caochangmen Station.

10. Changzhou West Taihu Lake Half Marathon

Changzhou West Taihu Lake Half-Marathon was first held in October 2014 and the 2019 event is planned to take place on Oct 13.

Over five years, the event has improved in many areas, including track settings, services, medical security, traffic management and overall arrangements to bring more convenience to participants.

There will be three competitions in the event: a half-marathon, a 10-kilometer race and a 6-km mini-marathon.

In 2018, 20,000 people registered to participate in the event, with 6,000 running in the half-marathon.

11. Xuyi International Crawfish Festival of China

The Xuyi International Crayfish Festival of China, an annual traditional event staged by Xuyi county government, was first held in July 2000.

Xuyi, a county in Jiangsu’s Huai’an, is rich in crayfish and is known as the “city of crayfish” in China. The annual trading volume of Xuyi Crayfish has surpassed 100,000 tons and the company has opened more than 2,000 franchised outlets. The whole industry’s scale has exceeded 10 billion yuan ($1.44 billion), enriching more than 100,000 people.

As a pioneer in China in developing the crayfish industry, Xuyi has made many innovations in raising crayfish. People in the county have applied a new raising model integrating crayfish and rice paddies instead of the traditional model. Both online and offline sales channels have been launched to promote Xuyi crayfish.

The 19th Xuyi International Crayfish Festival of China was held June 12, 2019, attracting guests from foreign countries such as Canada, Thailand and New Zealand. Activities related to the event were also be held in other cities in China including Nanjing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Wuhan, Hefei and Zhengzhou.

12. Jiangsu Book Fair

Jiangsu Book Fair, which was first held in 2001, is an annual event held in different cities in Jiangsu province. The 9th Jiangsu Book Fair opened June 27 in Suzhou.

The 2019 fair, which lasts for four days, covers 17,000 square meters and has set up 14 areas for various purposes such as parent-child reading, characteristic bookstores and a special exhibition area for China Publishing Group Corp. Over 500 publishers are participating in the event, displaying more than 100,000 kinds of fine publications.

During the book fair, activities such as lectures, book launches, reading and sharing are being held. Famous writers–including Cao Wenxuan, Fan Xiaoqing, Huang Beijia and Ye Zhaoyan–will appear to promote their new books.