Competitors from different countries and regions gather at Taishan Mountain. Photos by Wang Qian)

More than 3,000 mountain-climbing fans and athletes from 34 countries and regions participated in the 16th International Taishan Mountain Climbing Invitation Competition held on Sept 6 in Tai'an, Shandong province.

The event features an international group and a domestic group that consists of competitions of a youth group, a middle-age group and a senior group.

The international group consisted of 250 competitors from 33 countries and regions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan and Spain.

"I have participated in all the previous competitions. Last year, I beat all the rivals in the senior group and won," said 82-year-old Yuan Guang zhen, who said he is confident he can win the event again this year. "It only took me 40 minutes to climb more than six kilometers on the mountain path."

"I know that Taishan is a sacred mountain in China," said Marlene Simes from California, the US. "The ancient emperors came to the mountain to worship the heaven and earth to pray for the nation's peace and health. I am very glad to be here,"

"I'm very impressed by last year's event. It is great that people who love China and like mountain-climbing get together here," said Judy Judd, from Utah, the US. She has been living in China for five years. Taishan Mountain lies in central Shandong province, spanning the ranges of Tai'an and Jinan cities. It was rated as a "World Cultural and Natural Heritage" by UNESCO in 1987.