The seventh Kunming Seagull Cultural Festival kicked off on Jan 1, 2014. It closed on Jan 10 at Cuihu Park in Kunming, capital of Southwest China's Yunnan province.

The festival invited citizens from Kunming to join in the colorful activities, including an art performance, concert, photograph competition, sports meeting, and environmentally-friendly cycling and shopping festival, to convey the spirit of harmony, health, kindness and happiness.

The most attractive part of the seagull festival this year was the premier of Yuanyuan Qu, a drama composed by Zhoulong, vice-president of the Opera College of China. Yuanyuan Qu tells the story of Chen Yuanyuan, a woman who was pivotal in Wu Sangui's campaigns after the fall of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Located at every gate of Cuihu Park, the seagull cottages are another highlight of this year's seagull festival, offering various seagull-themed souvenirs. The activity helps citizens feel the spirit of the seagulls all year.

The festival this year also promoted traditional activities, such as jogging in the New Year and volunteer work to protect seagulls.

The core spirit of the festival is "harmony, ecology and environmental protection," which corresponds with the new image of Kunming city.

Seagulls from Siberia have been coming to Kunming for 28 years, since the winter of 1985. Since 2008, Kunming has held seven seagull festivals.

Volunteers selling items in seagull house on the seventh Kunming Seagull Cultural Festival,which kicked off on Jan 1, 2014. It closed on Jan 10 at Cuihu Park in Kunming, capital of Southwest China's Yunnan province.