The much-anticipated 2022 China Girls' Festival opened in Guangyuan, Southwest China's Sichuan province, on Nov 22.

Performers dressed in hanfu, a traditional Chinese style of clothing, sing and dance at the 2022 China Girls' Festival on Nov 22. [Photo provided by Guangyuan city]

The opening ceremony began with song and dance performances and a festooned boat parade. Winners of the women's literature contest received awards during the ceremony. Eight teams competed fiercely in the Phoenix Boat Race, a characteristic event of the festival, displaying the female demeanor of Guangyuan, a city with rich cultural heritage and a beautiful natural environment.

Women strive to be first during the Phoenix Boat Race in Guangyuan, Sichuan province. [Photo provided by Guangyuan city]

This year's festival is expected to host more themed activities, featuring blind dates, a food carnival, a women's Go game, and free admission to tourist attractions.

Attendees of the opening ceremony included some of the city's outstanding women in various industries, including Party representatives, retired veteran cadres, anti-epidemic medics, labor models and "woman pace-setter" award winners.

The 2022 China Girls' Festival kicks off in Guangyuan, Southwest China's Sichuan province, on Nov 22. [Photo provided by Guangyuan city]

Girl's Day is a traditional festival to commemorate Empress Wu Zetian of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). More than 1,300 years ago, Wu was born in Guangyuan. In the past, on the 23rd day of the first month of a year, which is Wu's birthday, women often dressed up and invited each other to the Huangze Temple, Zetianba and the banks of the Jialing River for pleasure as well as to attract auspiciousness.

In 1988, the CPC Guangyuan Party Committee and the local government decided to resume the festival, but set the date as Sept 1 in the solar calendar. This year's event was postponed to Nov 22 due to the impact of the epidemic.