Culture - In China

Harbin Ice Lantern Festival, Harbin

Harbin makes the most of its freezing winters with the impressive ice lantern festival. Huge ice blocks are carved into sculptures and buildings are lit from within to create the glittering ice and snow world.

Date: Till Feb 5

Made in Britain- Contemporary Art from the British Council Collection, Chengdu

The exhibition will showcase the 1980-2010 art collection of British Council. The masterpieces of British artists will show audiences how contemporary art has changed over the years with the transformation of modern society.

Venue: Sichuan Museum

Date: Till Feb 20

Culture - In Europe

Chinese Film Festival in France, Paris, Lyon, Toulouse, Versailles

The festival will showcase 12 Chinese blockbusters from 2010, including works of one of the most famous Chinese directors, Feng Xiaogang. The genres of the films are varied bringing different perspectives of contemporary Chinese films.

Date: Jan 26- Feb 8

The Grand Chinese New Year Concert

Since the first concert in 1998 in the Vienna Musikverein, the Grand Chinese New Year Concert has developed into a renowned cultural event in Europe. In magnificent traditional costumes and on original Chinese instruments the artists present their traditional Chinese music. This time, the concerts will be performed by Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, one of China's best. The concerts will be held in Norway, Switzerland, Germany and the Czech Republic.

Date: Feb 2- Feb 16

Tour details: www.wupromotion.com

China Youth Spring Festival Gala, Vienna

Chinese youngsters will present various types of performances in the Golden Hall of Vienna to enhance the cultural communication between China and Europe.

Venue: Golden Hall

Date: Feb 6-14

Imperial Chinese Robes from the Forbidden City, London

The magnificent robes worn by the emperors and empresses of the Qing Dynasty will be shown for the first time in Europe. The exhibition will tell the story of a vanished court life within the confines of the Forbidden City through exquisite and intricate clothes for grand state functions as well as simple, beautiful garments that were worn daily.

Venue: V&A South Kensington, Cromwell Road

Date: Till Feb 27

Chinese Films Show, Paris

The Chinese Cultural Center in Paris will put Chinese films and documentaries on show for free. The movies include Lin Yutang, Tea Culture, The Founding of a Republic, The Flying Tigers, Chinese Knots, The Great River, Super Typhoon, and The Ring of Rainbow Flower. Check the official website of Chinese Cultural Center in Paris for detailed information.

Venue: Chinese Cultural Center

Date: Till March

Details: http://www.cccparis.org

The Unilever Series: Ai Weiwei, London

Ai Weiwei is a Chinese artist, curator, architectural designer, and social commentator. The work being exhibited this time, Sunflower Seeds, is made up of millions of small works, each apparently identical, but actually unique. However realistic they may seem, these life-sized sunflower seed husks are intricately hand-crafted in porcelain.

Venue: Tate Modern Museum

Date: Till May 2