Chinese musicians perform at The National Center for the Performing Arts. [Photo/Xinhua]

The National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing welcomed over 10,000 visitors with about eight hours of performances, art salons and exhibitions at its eighth Public Open Day on Dec 22.

More than 60 art activities, 12 theater plays, 30 public space performances, 10 art salons and eight exhibitions were open to the public at the center from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Some of the classical music performances were also streamed online.

"The artists are our treasures, and we are the servant of our audiences," said Chen Ping, head of the center. Chen said that the Public Open Day is a way to show appreciation to art lovers while embracing a wider audience.

"This year, performances filled every corner of the center. The audiences could have a close look at the performances from the front to the back. Classic art is rather approachable here," said Dai Yuqiang, a famous Chinese tenor.

To maintain safety and order of the Open Day, the center distributed tickets through 40 channels to people from all walks of life: community residents, taxi drivers, university students, medical care staff and moral models, etc.

In the past eight years, the center has presented over 6,900 commercial performances, 59 production plays and over 8,300 art education and promotion activities, attracting an audience of over 14 million.