Pageantry and splendor is at hand during a ceremony that pays tribute to Huangdi, in Jinyun county. [Photo/WeChat account: jinyunfabu001]

A grand ceremony paying tribute to Huangdi, a legendary ancestor of the Chinese nation, was held at the Xiandu scenic area in Jinyun county – administered by Lishui city in East China's Zhejiang province – on April 5.

The day also marked Tomb Sweeping Day, a traditional Chinese festival that marks the arrival of spring as Chinese people pay tribute to their ancestors.

During the ceremony, which started at 9:50 am, drums were sounded 34 times and bells were rung 15 times – representing 1.5 billion Chinese from 34 provinces, municipalities, autonomous regions and special administrative regions in China and overseas Chinese.

The Xiandu scenic area in Jinyun county. [Photo/WeChat account: jinyunfabu001]

Huangdi, also known as the Yellow Emperor, was a mythological-historical figure who was believed to be the sovereign of a united China around 5,000 years ago.

Legend has it that Huangdi culminated his life in Dinghu Peak, located in the modern day Xiandu scenic area, by riding a dragon there to heaven. As a result, the area is called Xiandu, which means "fairyland" in Chinese.

Based on the Huangdi culture, Jinyun has developed a new path for the integrated development of its culture, tourism and rural revitalization.