This year's Guangzhou Qiqiao Cultural Festival kicked off at the Qixi Cultural Square, the festival's main venue, in Guangzhou's Tianhe district on Aug 17.

The Qiqiao Festival (Begging for Skills Festival), also known as Qixi Festival, is China's version of Valentine's Day. It originated in the Han Dynasty (202 BC-AD 220), and a whole host of related customs have gradually taken shape since then.

The festival has been held every year since 2005.

Children dressed in hanfu (traditional Chinese attire) and holding traditional folding fans give a performance at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Guangzhou Qiqiao Cultural Festival on Aug 17. [Photo provided to en.thnet.gov.cn]