The 16th Sun Tzu Cultural Tourism Festival started Sept 9 in Guangrao county, Dongying in East China's Shandong province. Experts on the subject from home and abroad, along with Sun Tzu (544–496 BC) culture enthusiasts and tourists from various regions, gathered for the event.

During the opening ceremony, influencer "Taishan Juanjie" promotes Dongying and the Sun Tzu culture. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

This year's Sun Tzu Cultural Tourism Festival, themed "Gathering in Sun Tzu's Hometown for a Cultural Celebration", seeks to further explore the contemporary relevance of Sun Tzu's cultural heritage by fostering its preservation, innovation, and development.

Prizes are awarded to promoters of Sun Tzu's culture during the opening ceremony of the 16th Sun Tzu Cultural Tourism Festival. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The festival will run from Sept 9 through the end of October, and offer a comprehensive exploration of the enduring legacy of this Chinese military strategist and author of The Art of War.

Featuring a diverse lineup, the event includes the seventh Shandong Lyu Opera Art Festival and a calligraphy exhibition by renowned artists showcasing classic quotes from The Art of War, all of which are related to Dongying's unique culture elements.

These cultural tourism activities are designed to enhance the festival's reach and can expect attendance of over 100,000 people.

Guangrao county in Dongying not only boasts a rich historical heritage but is also the birthplace of Sun Tzu culture. The county has made it its mission to preserve and promote this cultural legacy, and continuously explore and enrich the depth of his contributions.