Qingdao mayor Zhao Haozhi opens the first barrel of beer for the 31st Qingdao International Beer Festival with a remarkable and classic ritual. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The 31st Qingdao International Beer Festival, dubbed "Asia's Oktoberfest", kicked off in grand style on July 16 in Qingdao, Shandong province.

The coastal city's mayor Zhao Haozhi announced the opening of the 24-day event and opened the first barrel of beer during the opening ceremony.

This year the festival features 1,600 kinds of beer from over 40 countries and regions, as well as various snacks and delicacies from all over the world, according to organizers.

More than 400 activities, ranging from international exchange to trade, fashion shows and parades are planned.

Nine beer tents are set up at the Golden Beach Beer City in the Qingdao West Coast New Area. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Nine beer tents have been set up at the event's venue Golden Beach Beer City in the Qingdao West Coast New Area.

Among them, local brewery Tsingtao, the fifth largest in the world, has two flagship beer tents for its Tsingtao 1903 and Augerta ranges, covering a total of area of 5,800 square meters.

Initiated in 1991, the annual Qingdao International Beer Festival has become a major event in the calendar of the city and evolved into one of four largest beer festivals in the world, including Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.

During the opening ceremony, a four-month authoritative assessment revealed the brand value of the Qingdao International Beer Festival is 36.8 billion yuan ($5.67 billion). This was the first time domestic authorities assessed the brand value of the Qingdao event.

Currently, beer events with the "Qingdao Beer Festival" name are underway in some 50 cities across the country. In addition, the city of Qingdao was recognized as the capital of beer in China during the opening ceremony.

The 31st Qingdao International Beer Festival features 1,600 kinds of beer from over 40 countries and regions. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Foreign performers dance during the opening ceremony of the 31st Qingdao International Beer Festival on the evening of July 16. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Firework is set off during the opening ceremony of the 31st Qingdao International Beer Festival on the evening of July 16. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Mascot performers act under the giant sculpture "Qingdao toasts the world" at the Golden Beach Beer City in the Qingdao West Coast New Area. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The 31st Qingdao International Beer Festival opens in grand style on the evening of July 16 in Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]