A colorful dragon dance accompanied with drum playing raises the curtains for a festival showcasing the scenery and folk customs of five fishing villages in Shengsi county, Zhoushan, in Zhejiang province, on Aug 18. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Shengsi county in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, opened a festival showcasing the beautiful scenery and unique folk customs of its five fishing villages on Aug 18, the first time the county had held such an activity.

The festival, to run to Aug 23, is part of the warm-up for the upcoming 2019 International Islands Tourism Conference which is scheduled to be held on Aug 28-30.  

Thousands of people watched the opening ceremony, which featured quality singing and dancing performances as well as comedy shows.

Local performers dance with a fishing net, at the opening ceremony of the festival. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The five villages -- Bianjiao, Huangsha, Tian'ao and Huicheng in Wulong township, and Zhi'ao in Huanglong township -- are part of the "Five Fishing Villages on the East China Sea" project that the county has been working on in recent years to promote local tourism. 

The festival is hosted by the government of Wulong township and the department of culture, radio, television, tourism and sports in Shengsi.

Models walk on stage, parading fashion featuring the fishermen's paintings. The fishermen's painting has become a recognized folk art form in Zhoushan. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]