The 2012 Cross-Straits Hakka Tourist Festival will be held from Sept 8 to 10 in Liancheng county, Longyan city, the Fujian government announced at a press conference on Aug 28.

During the festival, a series of activities featuring traditional Hakka culture and the Guanzhai Mountain tour will be launched. Hakka compatriots from Taiwan will also present folk performances.

The festival will highlight the folk traditions of Hakka people and display the rich Hakka culture. The festival has been held successfully nine times since 2003 and plays a significant role in promoting cross-Straits Hakka culture.

The "culture tourism"-themed festival will also promote tourism in Longyan town and Guanzhai Mountain, a national tourist attraction. The festival will take advantage of the dragon dance in Gutian town for its recognition as a Guinness World Record, said Zhang Siliang, deputy mayor of Longyan.

As a habitat for Hakka people, Liancheng county is one of the cradles of Hakka culture. The culture has a long history and rich intangible cultural heritage, including activities such as the dragon dance of Gutian town and rice-paper making.

The festival is composed of 12 activities, including a large-scale concert held on July 3, an opening ceremony, a signing ceremony of tourism projects in Longyan and an exhibition of Hakka cuisine.

Edited by Lin Hong, Lei Jiawen and Michael Thai