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Sweet Osmanthus Festival is an important festival in Shanghai. Sweet Osmanthus is the city flower of Hangzhou. Hangzhou has become an important sweet osmanthus producing area along with Xianning, Suzhou, Guilin and Hefei. Shanghai Sweet Osmanthus Festival is celebrated in autumn when they appreciate the beauty and sweetness of the osmanthus. The "Man Long Rain of Sweet Osmanthus" is the main scene of the Sweet Osmanthus Festival. It is estimated that over 7000 sweet osmanthus grow along the road. During the festival, more than 200 colourful awnings are tidily extended along both sides of the road. People appreciate the beauty of these sweet osmanthus over their cups of tea, playing chess or cards, in awnings or by trees and enjoying themselves. The West Lake Sweet Osmanthus Festival combined the "Sweet Osmanthus Culture" with the "Tea Culture". For the opening ceremony, there are large and comprehensive art exhibitions. There is also the Dragon's Well Green Tea Ceremony along with symposiums organized by Yu Dafu of the Late Sweet Osmanthus. A party is also organized in memory of Premier Zhou Enlai during the festival. For the benefit of visitors, tea ceremonies of 6 major teas in the country are organized. Other programs conducted include ikebana performance, storytelling of "Hangzhou's People and Hangzhou's Events", bridge, weiqi, chess arena, mini golf and children's games. Shanghai Sweet Osmanthus Festival usually lasts for a month.
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