The 20th Longkou Nanshan International Longevity Culture Festival kicked off on Oct 14 to honor the elderly and to also celebrate the Chinese Chongyang Festival.

The Chinese Chongyang Festival is also known as Double Ninth Festival as it falls on the ninth day of the ninth month on the Chinese lunar calendar.

In Chinese folklore, the number nine is the largest number and is a homonym to the Chinese word jiu, which contains the auspicious meaning of "a long and healthy life."

The event, which is taking place at Nanshan Mountain Scenic area in Longkou, will run until Oct 17. A series of cultural activities performed by seniors will be staged, including a tai chi performance, a qipao fashion show, a dragon dance performance, as well as a painting and calligraphy exhibition.

Local residents perform a dragon dance at the longevity culture festival. [Photo/WeChat account: ytwlgw]

Women are dressed in beautiful qipao, traditional Chinese dresses, at the festival. [Photo/WeChat account: ytwlgw]

Residents perform tai chi on Nanshan Mountain. [Photo/WeChat account: ytwlgw]

A participant concentrates on writing at a painting and calligraphy exhibition. [Photo/WeChat account: ytwlgw]