Sculptures of famous Wuxi Huishan clay figurines ‘A Fu, A Xi’, at Yufu Islet, Wuxi. [Photo/thmz.com]

The city of Wuxi, Jiangsu province opened its first Sand Sculpture Culture and Art Festival on July 8, on Yufu (Fishering Fatherman's) Islet, in the Lihu Lake Scenic Area, and running through Aug 28.

There will be 15 artworks on display, created by sand sculptors from Taiwan and the city of Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, who use colored sand to a certain attraction to their works, which incorporate local history and cultural themes. They also created sculptures of local cultural symbols, such as "A Fu, A Xi", referring to a famous pair of Huishan clay figurines symbolizing happiness and safety

Other symbols are "Fan Li and Xi Shi", based on a romantic legend about Fan Li, a minister of the Yue State during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), and Xi Shi, a classic beauty, who lived a secluded life near Lihu Lake after they helped the King of Yue State conquer the Wu State.

There will also be a beer and music festival, an exhibition of cartoon characters, and sand-painting competitions as part of this tourist attraction for this summer vacation.

Sand sculptures of cartoon figureSpongeBob SquarePants and friends on the beach at Yufu Islet near Wuxi. [Photo/thmz.com]