A native of France Eric Mommessin came to China in 2003 and traveled extensively in the country, but he eventually decided to reside in Hangzhou as it shares some similarities to his homeland.

"It is quite common to see people spending an afternoon in a teahouse, hiking around the city for a whole day, or driving for hours to the riverside for a fresh fish, and that's what we call leisure," Mommessin says.

There are obvious reasons why Hangzhou has been dubbed "The Oriental Capital of Leisure." The mountains surrounding the city and the waters flowing through it make for a wonderful setting. Plus, traces of culture remain from the city's days as a former imperial capital of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). Add the easy life pace and a sound economy, it's not surprising why people come from around the world to visit Hangzhou.

The 2011 World Leisure Expo opens today in Hangzhou and gives people even more reasons to visit.

The World Leisure Expo brand was jointly created by the Hangzhou government and the World Leisure Organization in 2006. The event publicizes advanced leisure concepts, services and products that promote the best professional practices in the industry.

The World Leisure Expo is staged in Hangzhou every five years. The 2011 World Leisure Expo will continue until November 18.

This year, the three main Expo zones are Xiang Lake in Xiaoshan District, Baima (White Horse) Lake in Binjiang District and Qiandao Lake in Chun'an District. Ten sub-venues in the Yangtze River Delta have also been included.

The expo includes nine exhibitions and nearly 40 forums, as well as interesting activities such as fireworks shows, food festivals and flea markets.

The expo is expected to attract 15,000 visitors, including leisure industry executives, locals and expatriates like Mommessin.

The expo has been broken down into four categories: leisure exhibitions, leisure forums, leisure events and leisure experience.


Leisure forums

Nearly 40 conferences and forums ranging from leisure culture and industry to sports and recreation will be held. Some highlights are listed below.

? Theme forums

A series of theme forums will be held one every two weeks. They include: Leisure Sports Theme Forum, Leisure Vacation Theme Forum, Leisure Industry Theme Forum, Leisure Experience Theme Forum, Leisure Culture Theme Forum and Leisure Agriculture Theme Forum.


Leisure exhibitions

This is the key part of the World Leisure Expo. It will display modern leisure concepts and leisure industries. More than 50 cities and 50 leisure companies from around the world will participate.

The Industry Pavilion at the Leisure Expo Exhibition Center in Xiang Lake Zone will host seven main exhibitions continuously, while two exhibitions will be held at Qiandao Lake Zone. More details are listed below.

Venue: Xiang Lake Zone

? 2011 China (Hangzhou) International Leisure Industry Expo

Date: September 16-19

? 2011 China International Silk Fair and Women's Wear Fair

Date: September 23-26

? 2011 College Students Creative Life Festival

Date: October 3-6

? 2011 Top Ten Promising Industries Exhibition - Hangzhou and Leisure Life Experiencing Festival

Date: October 21-23

? China International (Hangzhou) Outdoor Recreation Fashion Exhibition and China (Hangzhou) Pet Culture Festival

Date: October 27-30

? 2011 Zhejiang (Hangzhou) International Collection Leisure Culture Expo

Date: November 5-8

? 2011 International Healthy Lifestyle Expo

Date: November 17-20

Venue: Qiandao Lake Zone

? Grand Opening of Qiandao Lake Art Museum and Exhibition of Calligraphy and Photography of Shao Huaze

Date: late September

? Sixth Qiandao Lake International Yacht Exhibition and First International Outdoor Recreation Equipment Exhibition

Date: September 23-25


Leisure events

This part involves more than 20 activities open to the public. They range from a food festival and gala shows to sporting events and an art exhibition. Here is the list:

1. Opening Ceremony and Gala Show of the 2011 World Leisure Expo and the 13th West Lake International Expo

Date: September 17, 8pm-9:30pm

Venue: Chengshan Square, Xiang Lake Zone

2. International Carnival

The carnival includes floral float parade, clown carnival, folk arts and crafts activities.

Date: September 17-October 15

3. Real-men Counterstrike Tournament

Date: September 17-November 18

Venue: World Leisure Park

4. Acoustics World

Date: September 17-October 8

Venue: World Leisure Park

5. Beer and Food Festival

Date: September 17-25

Venue: Hushan Square in Xiang Lake Zone

6. International Hot Air Balloon Performance

Date: September 18-25

Venue: Qiandao Lake

7. International Fishing Tournament

Date: September 18-October 16

Venue: West Lake, Qiandao Lake, Xiang Lake

8. Camping Event

Date: September 23-25

Venue: Xiang Lake Zone

9. Lake International Fireworks Show 2011

Artistic Fireworks Competition that has seven teams competing every Saturday night from September 24 to November 12. An International Fireworks Show will be staged on September 24 on Xiang Lake, West Lake (or Qiantang River) and Grand Canal.

Date: September 24-November 12

Venue: Xiang Lake, West Lake (or Qiantang River), Grand Canal

10. Yueju Opera Fans Meeting

Date: September

Venue: World Leisure Expo Park

11. Leisure Sports Carnival

Activities include rock climbing, orientation movement, parkour, dragon boat race, trail walking event.

Date: September

Venue: Xiang Lake Zone

12. Xiaoshan Tide Watching Festival and International Surfing Competition

Date: September

Venue: Qiantang River

13. Asia Vegetarian Conference

Date: September

Venue: Oriental Culture Park in Xiaoshan District

14. Music Festival

Date: October 2-5

Venue: Chenshan Square in Xiang Lake Zone

15. Children's Talent Show

Date: October

Venue: Xiang Lake and World Leisure Expo Park

16. Wenlan Classroom of World Leisure Expo

Date: October

Venue: Kuahu Bridge Ruins Museum in Xiaoshan District

17. World Health Conference

Date: October

Venue: World Leisure Expo Park

18. College Student Festival of World Leisure Expo

Date: October

Venue: Hushan Square in Xiang Lake Zone

19. Vocal Culture of Intangible Culture Heritage Conference

Date: October

Venue: Hushan Square and World Leisure Expo Park

20. Magic Carnival

Date: October

Venue: Xiang Lake Zone

21. International Canoeing Marathon

Date: November 11-18

Venue: Xiang Lake Zone

22. Leisure Stage

Throughout the Expo, up to 50 foreign troupes and 70 domestic troupes will perform at Hushan Square at Xiang Lake. Two to three performances will be staged every day.

23. Closing Ceremony and Gala Show of the 2011 World Leisure Expo and the 13th West Lake International Expo

Date: November 18, 7:30-9pm

Venue: Xiang Lake