The 31st Guangzhou Panyu Lotus Culture and Tourism Festival kicked off in Panyu district on June 22 with Lianhua Mountain Scenic Spot displaying 900 lotus varieties and 400 water lily varieties.

The total area where lotuses and water lilies are planted or showcased covers an area of 30,000 square meters.

The festival will last until Aug 31. It boasts the most lotus varieties on display, the longest exhibition time span, and banquets with distinctive local features.

Lotus flowers are in full bloom at Guangzhou's Lianhua Mountain Scenic Spot. [Photo/Guangzhou Daily]

To make the event more interactive, the scenic spot invited visitors to take part in a "treasure hunt" activity in which participants will be rewarded with great gifts for discovering a plant with three or five blossoms on a single stem. 

In addition, the scenic spot also encourages visitors to dress in ancient Hanfu, Chinese traditional clothing, by offering free tickets. 

Visitors enjoy beautiful views at Lianhua Mountain Scenic Spot. [Photo/Guangzhou Daily]

A special contest to select the best young guides for Guangzhou and a photography competition will also be held to encourage citizens to take part in the festival, as well as to promote Panyu and Guangzhou.

Lianhua Mountain Resort will offer special lotus-themed banquets, in which visitors can enjoy food made of fresh lotus flowers, seeds, roots, and leaves along with fish and vegetables.

Girls dressed in Hanfu pose for a photo in front of blooming lotuses. [Photo/Guangzhou Daily]