Qianxiaolong, the mascot of 2017 International Conference of Mountain Tourism and Outdoor Sports, attracted lots of tourists during the event from Aug 15 to 16. The image of Qianxiaolong was inspired by the ancient creature Keichousaurus, dating back 240 million years in Xingyi, Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao autonomous prefecture.

Keichousaurus lived in the mid-Triassic era. It had a small brain, a long neck and a wide and oblate body, similar to a Plesiosaur. Keichousaurus fossils were found in Xingyi's Lyuyin village in 1957.

The aqua blue color of the mascot resembles the water of Wanfeng Lake in Qianxinan, with its undulate back fin symbolize the beautiful Wanfeng Forest. The white lines on its chest stand for the "24 Turns" in Qinglong county. 

The designer also endowed the mascot with a positive attitude and optimistic characteristics, echoing the theme of the conference which encourages people to explore and embrace nature to achieve harmony between man and the environment. 

Qianxiaolong, the mascot of 2017 International Conference of Mountain Tourism and Outdoor Sports, is inspired from the ancient creature Keichousaurus. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Souvenirs of Qianxiaolong are available in shops in the Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao autonomous prefecture. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]