YINCHUAN - Muslims in Northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region will enjoy more favorable policies for celebrating this year's annual Corban Festival.

Monday marks the start of the five-day Corban Festival holiday, also known as Eid al-Adha or the feast of the sacrifice, when Muslims slaughter lambs to feed the hungry.

Muslims in the region will attend the largest religious service of the year at local mosques on Tuesday to observe this year's festival.

The local government of Ningxia has introduced polices, including extending the holiday and exempting vehicles with fewer than seven seats from expressway toll fares, to allow Muslims more time to attend religious rituals and visit relatives.

Tourists will also enjoy discounts when visiting local scenic spots.

Ningxia has 2.29 million Hui Muslim residents who make up more than one-third of the region's total population.