The 16th Asian Games will be opened in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province on Friday. To warm up the biggest sports event of the continent, a series of cultural and artistic activities are taking place in the city.

Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in D Major, presented by Japanese violinist Midori with the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, raised the curtain of the Canton Asian Music Festival last weekend. Until November 17th, 17 renowned Asian musicians including Yoyo Ma, Lang Lang and Tan Dun will present nine performances along with five symphony orchestras and one percussion troupe in Zhujiang River Bank's Xinghai Concert Hall.

A ballet featuring Khmer classical dance was staged in Huanghuagang Theatre on Monday night, presented by the prestigious Royal Dance Ensemble of Cambodia. The ballet kicked off a month-long event that will include 38 performances from 20 countries and regions, promising the local Guangzhou audience a lavish art experience. From opera, drama, and dance to acrobatics and concerts, this is the most remarkable art event in Guangzhou's history.

In addition, a fine art exhibition was opened in Guangzhou Museum on Tuesday. Dating back from the 17th to the early 20th Centuries, the exhibits are particularly related to sports. These bronze and porcelain curios are collected from Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, the UK, France and Germany. The exhibition will run until next January.