The annual Guangzhou Matsu Culture Festival opened on Monday at the Tin Hau Temple in Guangzhou. The festival celebrates the birth of Matsu, the goddess of the sea who protects fishermen and sailors.

Celebrations this year mark the 1054th birthday of the deity. They began on April 19th and will last till 23rd. The festival attracted visitors from areas around the Southern China region.

In addition to worshipping ceremonies in the morning, the festival will also feature a series of cultural and artistic folk performances.

In keeping up with the tradition of distributing 1054 kilos of rice, complimentary rice will be given to the first 200 tourists.

Matsu's birthday on April 22 will be ushered in with a grand parade and a worship ceremony.