Festival honoring ancient figure opens in Yuncheng

The 34th Guangong Cultural Tourism Festival opens in Yuncheng, North China's Shanxi province, on Sept 21. [Photo/Yuncheng Daily] 

The 34th Guangong Cultural Tourism Festival opened in Yuncheng, North China's Shanxi province, on Sept 21. 

Yuncheng is known as the hometown of Guangong or Guan Yu, an ancient general who has become a symbol of loyalty, righteousness and bravery and who features prominently in the Chinese historical classic novel "Three Kingdoms".

The city boasts the oldest and most well-preserved temple in honor of Guan Yu, which attracts tourists from all over the world to come and worship this legendary figure.

A cultural performance is staged during the opening ceremony of the 34th Guangong Cultural Tourism Festival. [Photo/Yuncheng Daily] 

The festival, lasting for three days, aims to provide a platform for Chinese all around the world to bask in and promote their cultural identity. 

The main activities include a cross-Strait Guangong cultural calligraphy and painting exhibition, a seminar on Guangong culture and modern Chinese civilization, and a display of exquisite literary and artistic works.

More than 320 groups and over 1,500 individuals from countries and regions such as France and Thailand will bring a large number of cultural programs to the festival for a series of performances.