A colorful parade marked the opening ceremony of the 3rd International Festival of Intangible Cultural Heritage on Sunday in Chengdu, capital city of southwestern Province of Sichuan. It created such a dynamic atmosphere that not even a rain shower could dampen the spirits of the performers and spectators.

A colorful parade marked the opening ceremony of the 3rd International Festival of Intangible Cultural Heritage on Sunday in Chengdu, capital city of southwestern Province of Sichuan.

A total of 21 performing groups from around China participated in the parade. They helped display the rich diversity of China's ethnic culture.

Dozens of Tibetan male performers presented a particular style of drumming dance.

The energetic performance boasts a history of hundreds of years and is among the first batch to be inscribed into the China National Intangible Heritage List.

Other highlights include the Chopstick Dance of the Inner Mongolians, a traditional festival dance from Xinjiang Uygur people, and other dazzling acts from Qinghai and Yunnan Provinces.

Another 20 overseas art groups were competing for the limelight at the opening ceremony. Whether it was the Highland Dance from Scotland or the aboriginal dance from Africa, the exotic shows made an extraordinary experience for local spectators.

The 3rd International Intangible Cultural Heritage Festival runs until June 11th.