On site of the temple fair. [Photo/ Taian.gov.cn]

An annual temple fair and a Taiwan and Korean cultural week were opened to the public on May 3 at Mount Taishan, China's most worshiped sacred mountain in Tai'an, Shandong province.

The fair will last until May 7 and will highlight 12 cultural, tourism, economic and trade events. Organizers also have invited worshipers of Mount Taishan from central and southern Taiwan, South Korean folklorists and cultural experts to the traditional fair.

For the first time in its history, the temple fair has introduced elements of China's ethnic minority groups and has displaying their foods, songs and dances, specialties, costumes and decorations.

Tourists taking photos with girls wearing ethnic group costumes. [Photo/ Taishan Network]

An ethnic group costumes and decorations show was staged on May 3 and 4, attracting many tourists. Models presented costumes and decorations belonging to 12 ethnic groups and a photo exhibition displayed folklore and cultural traditions of the minority groups.

The fair is also putting on shows of Shandong's intangible cultural heritage, including folk musical instruments and Taoist music. The shows are part of an effort to raise public awareness in protecting and carrying on precious folk traditions.

On the other hand, the fair serves as a trading platform to the approximate 300 sales people from more than 100 businesses that have attended this year. The Mount Taishan jade and tea expos and food festival have all become calling cards of the fair.

In recent years, Tai'an has deepened exchanges with Taiwan in areas of tourism, folklore and culture. With the launch of the Mount Taishan Cross-Straits Exchange Base in April 2014, the temple fair has become an important platform for cultural exchanges across the Taiwan Straits.

The city has also carried out frequent exchanges with South Korea. It has also held activities such as exhibitions, performances and academic seminars which have contributed a deeper understanding and friendship between the two sides.

The Mount Taishan temple fair has been held for six consecutive years since its launch in 2009.

Ye Tao, Secretary-General of the China Folklore Society, giving a speech in the opening ceremony. [Photo/ Taian.gov.cn]

In a speech at the fair's opening ceremony on May 3, Ye Tao, Secretary-General of the China Folklore Society, praised Tai'an for introducing such elements as Taiwan and ethnic minority groups to the fair and for taking effective measures to protect the city's intangible cultural heritage. Ye hoped that the Mount Taishan temple fair could enter the international stage and make it onto the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritages one day.

Tan Yegang, secretary of the Party working committee of the Mount Taishan scenic area, giving a speech in the opening ceremony. [Photo/ Taian.gov.cn]

Tan Yegang, secretary of the Party working committee of the Mount Taishan scenic area, expressed his wishes in promoting Mount Taishan's traditions and spirits, carrying on its cultural heritage and making new progress in broadening and deepening exchange and cooperation with South Korea and across the Taiwan Straits.