The Southern Silk Road International Cultural Tourism Festival is slated to open on Dec. 29 in Pingle Town of Qionglai City, Sichuan Province.

Five major activities, including a photography exhibition, a micro video contest, a cultural road show, Southern Silk Road Half Marathon, Southern Silk Road New Year Carnival and Ancient Alley Gourmet Festival, will be rolled out to showcase the development and charm of the ancient town.

As an important part of the festival, the Southern Silk Road Half Marathon will hit the road on Dec. 30, with the participation of nearly 3,000 runners.

The Southern Silk Road New Year Carnival will open on Dec. 31 with a grand gala offering great fun and excitement.

Qionglai is the first post on the ancient trade route that has a history of more than 2,000 years. The route serves as a cultural bridge connecting China's southwestern regions with Southeast and South Asia.