A landscape show performed during the festival.[Photo for chinadaily.com.cn]

The China Dujiangyan Qingming Water-Releasing Festival, together with the launch of Dujiangyan's summer travel season, kicked off in Sichuan province on April 5.

The festival dates back 1,000 years to commemorate Li Bing, designer of the Dujiangyan irrigation system in 256 BC, and also pays people's respect to nature.

The irrigation system has given the flood-plagued people along the banks of Minjiang River a peaceful and affluent lifestyle. Minjiang River irrigates nearly 70,000 hectares of farmland in Sichuan and has won the province the reputation of "the land of abundance".

During the ceremony, actors played Li Bing and his helpers telling the history of Dujiangyan as well as to paying tribute to their efforts in building the irrigation system.

Actors offered grains, vegetables and livestock to nature, and bowed to the Minjiang River, expressing gratitude to the river that has raised them.

Master Liu Suibin from Mount Qingcheng performed a tai chi dance with former Miss World Mariatu Kargbo.