Participants pose for a group photo on the first day of the China (Rizhao) International Sun Culture Forum in Rizhao, Shandong province on Sept 26. On the third day of the forum, a foreign delegation, including the deputy mayor of Delphi, Greece, a parliamentarian from Cuzco, Peru, a diplomat from the Indian embassy and a professor of Cairo University, visited Donggang district, Juxian county and Tiantai Mountain to learn more about Rizhao's ancient "sun culture". [Photo/ iqilu.com]

The visitors watch a sun-worshipping ceremony at Wanpingkou scenic spot in Rizhao, Shandong province on Sept 28. The ceremony to welcome the sun at dawn dates back thousands of years. Worshippers dance with burning torches, offer sacrifices to heaven and strike a holy Sun Bell as the sun rises above the horizon. [Photo/ iqilu.com]