For Li Zhichen, a Jinan local in his 30s, the opening ceremony of the 10th China Art Festival in Shandong province exceeded expectations.

"I thought it would last at least one and a half hours, but it was only some 15 minutes," Li said.

The opening ceremony was followed by a traditional Chinese local opera named People's Secretary, one of the 87 shows (including operas, dances, musical dramas, plays, and puppet) that are expected to be staged during the art festival.