Meihekou city officially launches its summer festival for this year on July 9. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Meihekou – a county-level city in Northeast China's Jilin province – on July 9 launched its summer festival, which this year is featuring some 20 cultural tourism activities in three categories, according to local media reports.

The summer festival, held at Meihekou's major scenic spots – including Hailonghu Park, a special landmark for the holiday events called Dongbei Buyecheng (meaning Sleepless Northeast China) and Cuan Street – will run until mid-October.

A water splashing carnival sees the participation of people dressed in folk costumes. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Cultural performance activities kick-started on July 9 and will run to July 25. A water splashing carnival will involve teams consisting of people from ethnic minorities, including the Dai people.

The fourth Meihekou Beer Festival will open on July 17 and the Hanfu Cultural Festival will be held on Aug 21-30.

The summer festival will also include entertaining events such as a short video contest, cooking contest, parent-child camping activity and a watermelon festival.

This year's summer festival will have promotional events and offer shopping discounts to attract wider participation.

Having started on July 10 and running through to Aug 10, a marketing budget totaling 5 million yuan ($772,000) will be spent on consumers who participate in beer promotion activities.

People have a ball at the summer festival in Meihekou. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]