Psychedelia with Chinese characteristics: The Mad Hatter and Alice at a press conference Thursday Photo: Zhu Shanshan

By Zhu Shanshan

A variety show starring Alice and the Mad Hatter, two characters from the classic story Alice in Wonderland, will begin being performed at the psychedelic World Chocolate Wonderland starting Saturday, March 27, marking a 16-day countdown until the temporary amusement park closes for good.

Timed according to the release of the Tim Burton-directed 3D Hollywood blockbuster on Chinese silver screens, the Alice in Wonderland variety show will star Chinese performers and will be staged two times a day on weekends at 11 am and 3 pm.

And as part of another promotion to further thank chocoholics for their support, 10 black chocolate Terracotta Warriors figurines will be given away to select visitors every day, beginning the same day as the variety show and lasting until the end of the exhibition.

"The chocolate Terracotta Warriors are one of the popular exhibits at our theme park," said Tina Zheng, Chocolate Wonderland general manager. "Their bodies are a wonderland unto themselves. Visitors have asked whether they can get a taste, and so we are pleased to be giving out 160 of them in lucky draws for the last 16 days."

Thirty-nine free chocolate tasting events will also be made available to visitors during the park's remaining time open. Visitors wearing chocolate-related clothing or chocolate adornments will also be eligible for discounted entry tickets; the park will also be giving out awards for "most fashionable chocolate costume" on a daily basis.

The World Chocolate Wonderland opened to the public on January 29 near Beijing's "Bird's Nest." The 20,000 square meter temporary theme park boasts five indoor exhibition halls—"Chocolates of the World," "Candies of the World," "Chocolate Wonderland," "Sweet Experiences" and "Sweet Gifts'—and two outdoor displays—the "Sweet Stage" and "Sweet Shopping Street."