A giant rice turtle, made from over 1,000 bags of rice, is placed in Zhenhai Tower on the top of Pingshan Mountain in Fuzhou, Fujian province. [Photo provide to chinadaily.com.cn]

Hundreds of people from Taiwan and Fujian province climbed up Pingshan Mountain to see a giant red turtle statue made from 1,000 bags of rice on Oct 28.

The huge festive statue, which weighed 8,500 kilograms, was an offering built for the Double Ninth Festival, a traditional Chinese festival that fell on the same day.

Climbing mountains is an old Double Ninth tradition, and in Fujian and Taiwan this custom is also often combined with worshipping turtles, which symbolize safety and longevity in Chinese culture. It is believed that touching a rice turtle can bring people safety and happiness.

It took local artists three days to build the giant turtle from ceremonial bags of rice decorated with gold detailing, according to local media reports. The turtle was placed inside Zhenhai Tower, on the peak of Pingshan Mountain.

According to Chen Yiting, director of Fuzhou Taiwan Compatriots Investment Enterprises Association, all the rice used to make the turtle was donated by the association members and shall be donated to families in need after the festival.

The activity, jointly sponsored by Fuzhou Gulou district government and Fuzhou Taiwan Compatriots Investment Enterprises Association, was just one of several activities held to celebrate the Double Ninth Festival in Fuzhou.

Other events included poetry recitals, kite flying activities and folk music performances.