South China's coastal resort Sanya has played host to a bikini carnival. Hundreds of people clad in bikinis formed a special beach-scape for the summer.

The three-day event saw 15 contestants emerge from ten thousand people who participated in a weight-loss health program.

One of the highlights is this bamboo-pole dance by a thousand people. The dance is typical of the Sanya area.

Typhoon Morakot caused some events to shift to indoors. Yet it didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the contestants, who came from the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan regions and Australia.

A handful of stars, including Coco Li and Yu Quan came to sing.

Now in its third year, the Sanya International Bikini Carnival was launched in 2007. The pageant combines fashion, health and tourism promotions. It advocates the three-H life style, which is Healthy, Happy and High.