The 16th Fishermen Festival is held at Beihai village's fishing port in Lushunkou, Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning province, on July 15. [Photo by Wang Zhongcheng]

The 16th Fishermen Festival was held at Beihai village's fishing port in Lushunkou, Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning province, on July 15.

Every year on June 13th of the lunar calendar (July 15 this year on the solar calendar), fishermen from all along the coast and tourists from all over the world gather at Beihai village's fishing port to participate in the traditional fishermen festival.

Fishermen prayed to the sea, sounding gongs and drums to pray for good weather over the sea and a bountiful harvest.

Fishermen release newly-hatched fish into the sea on July 15. [Photo by Wang Zhongcheng]

A ceremony was also held in which over 1 million fish were released into the sea, which is hoped to help increase the incomes of fishermen.

Artists from all over the country performed at the event, and local officials and residents performed patriotic flash mobs to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Local officials and residents perform a patriotic flash mob to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, July 17. [Photo by Wang Zhongcheng]