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ShanghaiMay 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The music of the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, one of the world’s largest professional symphony orchestras, will once again resound in China. Founded in 1743, this world-class orchestra, comprising 185 musicians and performing over 300 concerts annually, will tour China from May to June 2026, visiting Taipei and Tainan in the Taiwan region of China, as well as Beijing, Shanghai, Wuxi, and Hong Kong, writing a new chapter in its musical ties with China.
Behind the Major Tour: DHL’s Full Support
Every international tour is a logistics operation as precise as a symphony. Since 2009, DHL has served as the orchestra’s official logistics partner, responsible for transporting its precious cargo: over 100 irreplaceable musical instruments, the conductor’s podium, music stands, performance costumes, and even the iconic baton. The total weight of the equipment is approximately 6.5 tons—equivalent to about five cars—valued at over 4 million euros, spanning two continents and thousands of kilometers. DHL provides comprehensive logistical support for the tour: sensitive instruments must be transported in temperature-controlled containers at 18 to 20°C to prevent damage from climate fluctuations; GPS tracking offers real-time visibility throughout the journey; and DHL handles all international customs clearance procedures.
The European leg of the tour began on May 17 at the Frankfurt Old Opera House, followed by two performances at the Vienna Musikverein. The China tour kicked off in late May, with performances covering Taipei and Tainan in the Taiwan region of China, as well as Shanghai, Beijing, and Hong Kong. The schedule includes: May 23 in Taipei, May 24 in Tainan, May 26 in Shanghai, May 27 in Wuxi, May 29 to 31 in Beijing, and June 2 to 3 in Hong Kong, with all venues being local cultural landmarks.
From Leipzig to China: A Symphony of Music and Logistics
Since 1961, when it became the first foreign orchestra to perform the complete Beethoven symphony cycle in Asia, this legendary orchestra from Leipzig, Germany, has maintained a long and unique artistic dialogue with China. In 2009, the orchestra made its debut in mainland China, leaving unforgettable performances in Beijing and Shanghai; it returned to Shanghai in 2014; and in 2019, under the leadership of Music Director Andris Nelsons, the orchestra visited Guangzhou for the first time, completing its third China tour. Now returning to China once again, this orchestra, carrying a rich tradition and the spirit of the times, will connect cities across the strait and the mainland with its notes, composing a new movement of Sino-European cultural exchange through symphonic sound.
For DHL, supporting the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig goes far beyond logistics. The partnership between DHL and the orchestra bears witness to the deepening cultural and artistic exchanges between China and Europe. Amid a musical tradition spanning centuries and a real-world journey covering thousands of kilometers, DHL, with professionalism and passion, ensures that every note arrives on time, becoming a vivid echo of Sino-European cultural exchange.