As a popular major folk cultural event in China, the 2012 Qingdao Haiyun Nunnery Sugarcoated Haws Festival opened on Feb 7 in Qingdao, a coastal city of Shandong province. The festival invited more than 20 traditional folk arts performances, attracting millions of visitors.

Three national troupes including the China Opera and Dance Drama Troupe, China National Acrobatic Troupe and Advance Acrobatic Troupe of the Political Department of Shenyang Military Region presented songs, dances and acrobatics to please audience during the event.

This festival, that is over 500-year-old, was named one of China's top 10 folk custom and culture festivals in 2005 and was listed as part of Shandong's intangible cultural heritage in 2006.

By Xie Chuanjiao and Hu Qingdao (chinadaily.com.cn)

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Rakhee M