A dragon dance is staged in Qiantong Ancient Town in Ningbo's Ninghai county on May 14. [Photo/Ningbo Daily]

Sixteen top-tier teams from the Yangtze River Delta competed in a dragon and lion dance contest that was staged in Qiantong Ancient Town in Ningbo's Ninghai county on May 14.

The history of dragon and lion dance in Qiantong Ancient Town can be traced back to the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1736-95). The town has been designated a provincial inheritance and teaching base for dragon and lion dance.

The contest served as a prelude to the county's annual tourism festival, which is slated to open on May 19.

The festival is named after Xu Xiake, a famous Chinese explorer during the 17th century who was regarded as the Chinese Marco Polo. Xu started his 28-year journey around China on May 19, 1613 from Ninghai. In 2011, May 19 was designated as China's National Tourism Day.