Chongqing 2004 Sand Sculpture Festival is to be held at Ciqikou, a 1,000-year old town in Southwest China's Chongqing from January 1 to February 28, 2004.

Over 100 examples of sand arts by experts from the United States, Japan, South Korea, India, and Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao will be on display on a 300,000 square metre area along the Jialing River, one of the main branches of the Yangtze River.

All these sculptures are based on the special Bashu culture, with a strong flavour of history and tradition of people in Chongqing and Sichuan Province.

Modern events like Chongqing people's relocation for the Three Gorges Dam project will be also reflected in these unusual works.

During the display, the Third Ciqikou Temple Fair will also be held here. That features a rally competition, fashion show, snack sale, and a local products exhibition and sale.

(Beijing Weekend December 26, 2003)