HUANGSHAN - A dragon boat race kicked off the opening ceremony of the 15th China Huangshan International Tourism and Hui Culture Festival, which began on Sept 22 at the bank of Xin'anjiang River, Huangshan City in southern Anhui province.

Anhui's major leaders, including Anhui Vice-Governor Hua Jianhui, Huangshan's Party chief Wang Fuhong, Huangshan Mayor Song Guoquan, as well as representatives from foreign cities attended the opening ceremony, which is hosted by Mayor Song Guoquan.

"The rich water resource, far-reaching local culture and unique natural environment have endowed Huangshan with overwhelming beauty and attractiveness. We believe that in the near future, all of you can see a more beautiful, open and harmonious city which will leave you unforgettable impressions forever," said Party chief Wang Fuhong.

With a history of more than 2,000 years and a population of 1.5 million, Huangshan City has developed into a new, rising international city of tourism, due to its unique and high-lever tourism resources. Huangshan Mountain attracts millions of visitors from all over the world each year to enjoy the marvelous natural beauty.

"We are here for the first time to join this grand festival and we'll enjoy all the activities during this festival, because Huangshan is really very beautiful and attractive," said Wei Kim Yuan, a 74-year-old from Taiwan province who came to Huangshan with his daughter and son-in-law.

People in local area and from nearby cities and counties gathered near Xin'anjing River, another valuable tourist resort in the city, to watch a wonderful dragon boat race.

"Huangshan City is so beautiful that I will come here again in my spare time," said Liu Jinhua, the leader of Fuzhou's team that won the dragon boat race as a non-local team.

"Surrounded by the beautiful mountains and riverside scenery, we are very happy to watch the great dragon race. This opening ceremony which held in this way is very special and innovative," said Jin Jingfang, a local retired government official.

The festival was jointly hosted by the National Tourism Administration and Anhui Provincial People's Government and undertaken by Anhui Provincial Tourism Bureau and Huangshan Municipal People's Government.

Also, a vital promotion meeting on inviting investment was held on Sept 22. A total of 7 categories and 187 items worth some 152.2 billion ($23.9 billion) will be introduced as the sidelines of the festival and more than 200 entrepreneurs and investors will be invited to attend.