latimes.com

To Beijing, with love. That might capture the vibe at Universal Studios Hollywood this weekend as the Southern California theme park opens a three-day cultural exhibit called "Glamorous Beijing."

It's all part of a Beijing-L.A. event designed to encourage tourism between the cities. Since 2006, the L.A. Tourism & Convention Board has had an office in Beijing that stokes the
East-meets-West Coast relationship.

"Glamorous Beijing" kicks off with a traditional lion and dragon dance at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Globe fountain near the entrance. Then representatives from both cities sign a tourism pact and cut the ribbon on the exhibit, followed by a Mandarin-language tour of the theme park for visitors.

The exhibit is housed at Universal's Globe Theatre and will feature lessons in crafting Chinese paper-cutting designs and traditional opera masks. Dozens of drawings on display will feature the scenery and landmarks of the Chinese capital. The exhibit runs 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday.

mary.forgione@latimes.com
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