A dragon dance is staged at the opening ceremony of the 7th Taicang Rural Tourism Festival in Taicang, a county-level city in East China's Jiangsu province, on June 21. [Photo/WeChat account: tcfbgw]

The opening ceremony of the 7th Taicang Rural Tourism Festival was held in Shaxi Ancient Town, Taicang, a county-level city in East China's Jiangsu province, on June 21.

The festival will run until the end of October.

Ten rural study tour bases were unveiled at the ceremony, which are expected to play a significant role in preserving traditional culture and aiding the rural vitalization drive.

A boat tour is held at the opening ceremony of the 7th Taicang Rural Tourism Festival in Taicang, a county-level city in East China's Jiangsu province, on June 21. [Photo/WeChat account: tcfbgw]

Authorities also rolled out two intangible-cultural-heritage-themed tour routes with authorities in Bixi subdistrict, Changshu, a county-level city adjacent to Taicang.

A series of folk performances including dragon dancing and boating were staged at the ceremony, while night markets selling local snacks and handicrafts were also featured.

Those interested in rural tourism can find out more by following the WeChat account "tcfbgw".

Bamboo weaving handicrafts are sold at the opening ceremony of the 7th Taicang Rural Tourism Festival in Taicang, a county-level city in East China's Jiangsu province, on June 21. [Photo/WeChat account: tcfbgw]