Part of the nationwide celebration of China Now, China in London festival sees six months of art, culture, music, cuisine and literature from China right here in the capital. With a wealth of exciting events and ways to get involved, there is something for everyone to learn and enjoy about China with the China in London festival.Kicking off with the China in London launch on 6th February and the Chinese New Year celebrations on 10th February, China in London will continue up until the Olympic Torch reaches the city on the 6th April as it passes on its way to take part in the Bejing Olympic opening ceremony. It is a chance to get involved in Chinese culture from opera workshops, China tea tasting and food to Chinese cinema on screen, Chinese art and dance, and many other fantastic celebratory events in locations across London.

A special lantern lighting ceremony kicks off the beginnings of the Chinese New Year in London on the 6th February as Oxford Circus is lit up by thousands of traditional Chinese paper lanterns. Dance troupes all the way from Bejing will be on hand to entertain the crowds at Trafalgar Square and the Royal Opera House. From 11am 175 foot dragon dances and Shaolin martial arts parades will keep everyone entertained. Parade goers can join the crowds in Trafalgar Square from midday and enjoy the Bejing Dance and Drama performances, and catch fireworks and plenty of other vibrant decorations.

10th February 2008 sees the traditional Chinese New Year parade with musicians and dragons dances aplenty. A spectacular delight for anyone who loves the colourful costumes and the lively and vibrant dances, this is a great way to lift the winter blues.Plenty of famous London venues are involved in this year's celebration of Chinese culture as the V&A, British Museum, Royal Academy of Music, Kew Gardens and London Zoo all take part in China in London 2008. Exciting, vibrant, unusual but most of all Chinese events take place throughout the festival period with everything from poetry on the underground from Bei Dao and Yang Lian to fortune cookies being handed out to commuters to enlighten them with facts about modern day China.Many of the China in London events taking place will appeal to art and literature lovers as Chinese films are screened across the city, with short films created by popular Chinese artists, students and famous Chinese producers, and a series of big screen BBC screenings too. Graphic art and comic lovers will be thrilled to catch the manhua comic exhibition, and there will also be exhibitions of sculptures, sound scapes, installations, films and photographic art on display.

Live performances are also something to get excited about during China in London, as shows by the Shaolin Monks take place at Sadlers Wells, an acrobatic version of Swan Lake hits the stage at the Royal Opera House and the Hong King Chinese Orchestra take up a nationwide tour. With more dance, live music, design and sporting events taking place throughout the China in London festival, it is set to engage all of London with the country's fantastic heritage and culture.For more information on China Now in London, click on the link below.