The press conference announces the activities for the Double Third Day of the Zhuang ethnic group is held in Hechi, Guangxi, on March 29. [Photo by Xia Jun / xinhuanet.com]

Hechi in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region is set to host a raft of cultural and entertaining activities during the Double Third Day Festival, held this year from April 1 to 30.

A total of 62 activities will be held, such as the fifth Shoulder Pole Cultural Tourism Festival in Jinchengjiang district, Zoupo Festival Song Fair in Luocheng Mulao autonomous county, the Bull Worship Festival in Nandan county, Tung Blossom Festival in Tian'e county and a folk song exchange in Du'an Yao autonomous county.

The Double Third Day falls on the third day of the third month in the Chinese lunar calendar. Previously named the Shangsi Festival, it commemorated the Yellow Emperor (2717 BC-2599 BC) who is regarded as the ancestor of the Chinese nation.

It is an important traditional festival in Guangxi for the Zhuang ethnic group and is regarded by many as the oldest Valentine's Day.

A press conference held to introduce the events said that they were designed to promote Hechi's colorful ethnic culture, hospitable customs and practices, original ecological natural scenery and harmonious development environment.

In addition, Hechi will carry out ethnic cultural tourism exhibitions, tourism promotions and sales campaigns during the period. It will also release new rural tourist routes and organize sales promotions at tourist attractions, hotels, rural tourist areas and rural home inns.

Edited by Owen Fishwick