Russia's prestigious sailing ship Pallada visited the eastern coastal city of Qingdao on Aug 10 and tied up at the city's Olympic Sailing Center to honor this year's Qingdao International Sailing Week and Qingdao International Marine Festival. 

This marked the ship's fourth visit to Qingdao, China's Sailing Capital, with nearly 170 crew members.

The Pallada, which is 354 feet long, is said to be the largest and fastest barkentines in the world, capable of reaching speeds of up to 18 knots. The ship, launched on July 7, 1989, is a star sailing vessel in Russia, having visited more than 170 ports and over 60 countries and has also won many international festivals and races. 

During their four-day-stay in Qingdao, the sailors of Pallada will co-organize a serious of activities with the festival organizing committee, including exchanges with youth sailors from the Qingdao International Optimist Training Camp and inviting local citizens to go aboard the renowned sailing ship to experience the daily lives of sailors. 

The 2018 Tenth Qingdao International Sailing Week and Qingdao International Marine Festival, which opened on Aug 10, was the first sailing event held at the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center after the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Qingdao summit in early June.

The festival, established in 2009 has grown over time, will last until Aug 19 this year, during which nearly 40 activities will take place, including sailing events, sports summits and various celebrations, in a bid to give full display of Qingdao's modern and prosperous sports industry, marine economy, culture, tourism and ocean technology.

One of the largest sailing vessels in the world, the Pallada arrives at the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center on Aug 10 to mark this year's Qingdao International Sailing Week. [Photo/qingdaonews.com]

Crew members of Russia's prestigious sailing ship Pallada are warmly welcomed by local festival organizing committee in Qingdao, Shandong province, Aug 10. [Photo by Zhong Yuxian/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The organizing committee holds a warm welcome ceremony for the crew members of Russian sailing ship Pallada on Aug 10 in Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo by Zhong Yuxian/provided to chinadaily.com.cn] 

The organizing committee holds a warm welcome ceremony for Russian guests attending the Qingdao International Sailing Week on Aug 10. [Photo by Zhong Yuxian/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]