The 2019 Outdoor Sports Festival of China, along with the Kunshan International Culture and Tourism Festival, was held in Bacheng town, Kunshan, Jiangsu province, from Aug 23 to 26. With a focus on outdoor sports, the action-packed event attracted more than 50,000 participants.

The four-day event featured both interactive activities and professional competitions. Highlights included a forum discussing the integration between outdoor sports and tourism, a photography exhibition and a grand opening ceremony, as well as rock climbing, kayaking and fishing competitions.

The opening ceremony for the 2019 Outdoor Sports of China and the launch of the Kunshan International Culture and Tourism Festival in Bacheng town, Kunshan, Jiangsu province, on Aug 23 [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Hosted by the Chinese Mountaineering Association and Kunshan municipal government, the event promoted the stunning scenery of Bacheng town – a shining example of China’s quick rural development.

People participate in an outdoor sports event in Kunshan on Aug 25. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Famous for its great economic potential, Kunshan was ranked first again among China’s top 100 strongest counties, according to a list recently released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. As the birthplace of Kunqu Opera, the county also has plenty of attractions worth a visit.

A Kunqu opera performer poses for a photograph. The style of this traditional Chinese opera is a UNESCO intangible cultural relic. [Photo/VCG]

Zhouzhuang water town in Kunshan is reputed to be the “No 1 water town in China”. Every autumn, the world-famous Yangcheng Lake crabs are a treat for visitors. There is a lot to discover in Kunshan and only the people who go and see for themselves can experience the authentic feeling of the place.