Foreign performers pose after a dragon dance at the Fiery Palace in Changsha. [Photo/changsha.cn]

A grand temple fair opened on Jan 29 at the Fiery Palace in Changsha, Hunan province, to celebrate a festival that falls on the 23rd or 24th day of the twelfth month of the lunar year.

During the opening ceremony, performances from Tongdao Dong autonomous county were highly appreciated by the audience.

All the shows aimed to promote agricultural products of poverty-stricken families. A staff member said that it was a highlight that Tianxin district got actively involved in the publicity of agricultural products from impoverished areas and combined the temple fair with the marketing of agricultural goods.

Opening ceremony of the temple fair [Photo/changsha.cn]

Huang Tao, deputy secretary of the Tianxin district committee, said in his speech that a city is distinct because of its culture and vigorous because of innovative activities. The temple fair, which started in 2013, has become the most representative such fair in South Central China and a key brand of Changsha's cultural tourism. It aims to present special features and unique culture of Changsha during Spring Festival.

Besides the opening ceremony, six theme temple fair activities will last 22 days until Lantern Festival on Feb 19.

Dong ethnic people dance in a festive spirit. [Photo/changsha.cn]