Participants place baskets of flowers to mark the status of Dayu - a legendary hero who contributed to flood control in ancient China - during the ceremony held in Weiyuan county, Gansu.[Photo/xinhuanet.com]

Flocks of visitors gathered in Weiyuan county, Gansu province, to conduct a ritual memorial of Dayu on July 21. Dayu was a legendary hero who contributed to flood control in ancient China and established the Xia Dynasty (c.21st century-16th century BC).

Weiyuan county is located at the source of Weihe River, the largest tributary of the Yellow River. It once benefited from Dayu's flood control efforts. To honor Dayu, a statue of him was erected in the county and gifts are placed beneath it during the ritual.