Ninety-nine couples gathered in the streets of the seaside city of Qingdao on Oct 20, to declare their undying love in the sanctity of marriage before the blue ocean and under blue skies.

The romantic activity was held under the auspices of the culture, commerce and communication administrations of Qingdao's Shinan district, with the aim of being a part of the love stories of the many happy couples in the coastal city.

Many of the couples were new to Qingdao, hailing from countries such as Russia, Germany and Romania, as well as the domestic provinces of Heilongjiang, Hebei, Fujian and Shandong.

Gathered at the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center, the couples walked over a pink carpet before passing an arch of full-bloom flowers - symbolizing the gateway to happiness.

The paramours mounted trams and double-decker buses to tour the city's landmark buildings, its sculpture park and music square.

"It's really exciting and fun," said Tian Long, who has been with his fiance Li Yuan for seven years and is now preparing for their wedding. "The blue ocean is our favorite," chimed the happy couple.

As night fell, from a cruise ship in Fushan Bay, the enraptured lovers gazed upon a spectacular light show, a must-see in the city, as well as the lit-up landscape on shore.

The couples show was an activity affiliated with the 2018 Qingdao Wedding Culture Week.

According to its organizers, Shinan district will continue to upgrade its local wedding industry, providing high-quality tourism products for couples and creating a fashionable destination for young lovers.

(China Daily 10/27/2018 page12)