Terri Camping and Music Festival Gives Beijing Urbanites a Taste of the Great Outdoors, Oct 25-27
Pop in any local park in Beijing on the weekend, and chances are you’ll find a swarm of tents covering the park grounds, even if these 'camps' are only set up for a few hours before the sun sets and the reality of city life kicks back in. It’s an image that has always baffled me, particularly as someone who grew up in a family where camping meant heading deep into a forest, across crystal lakes, and up mountainous terrain to set up camp for the night: basically as far away from society as possible.
But as China’s middle class continues to swell, it’s camping market is growing faster than ever, with Decathlons and camping goods outlets popping up everywhere and hiking trails slowly being mapped out across the country (even if it means going it alone). TERRI, the new outdoor lifestyle brand in China, is looking to capitalize on those longing for outdoor living with a weekend-long large-scale camping festival held at Tiankai Picnic Park on the outskirts of Fangshan District this weekend, from Oct 25-27.
While not exactly a wilderness retreat, there’s definitely something novel about indulging in a full-on camping experience, complete with fully functioning campgrounds, a farmers' markets, outdoor living tutorials (such as building a makeshift shelter and cooking), and of course campfires. If that wasn’t hardcore enough, campers will even have a chance to display their ax skills and carve their own stone tools to fend off wandering pandas with (that last part might be a lie). Bring your own tent or rent out on of the site’s own – and the same goes for other amenities – just be sure to pack a warm sleeping bag if you do plan to spend the night.
If you’re keen on something a little more lively worry not, cause throughout the festival, they’ll be plenty of live music on hand kicking off with some DJ sets under the starlight on the first night. Then on Saturday, starting at mid-day, attendees will be treated to a host of bands, playing across multiple stages, including Inner Mongolian prog-rock troupe Hai Qing, Xiamen indie pop outfit Peach Illusion, Xi’an indietronica singer-songwriter West By West, and Beijing’s own instrumental rock groovers SNSOS. It’s a surprisingly robust lineup that touches upon even genre - from dream pop to krautrock – and acts from all across China. And if camping isn’t your (sleeping)bag, fret not, single-day tickets are available for those looking to seek comfort in their posh beds afterward.
In the end, TERRI may not be capturing the ‘camping experience’ as many Westerners know it, but it’s a step in the right direction, one that will hopefully (or not, depending on how selfish you are) encourage more people here in China in exploring what this vast country has to offer.
Tickets are RMB 450 for a three-day pass/ RMB 350 for one-day music pass. Automobile camping ticket is RMB 150. Click here for full event details (in Chinese) or get your tickets directly here.
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Images: Courtesy of TERRI Festival
