Qingtian county, home to some 330,000 overseas Chinese in Zhejiang province, has launched a promotional campaign around its time-honored cultural halls.

Since late January, the "Take Cultural Halls Back Home" campaign has invited photographers, villagers and overseas Qingtian natives to take photos with the iconic cultural halls in the background. Framed photos have also been given away as gifts to visitors at hall-based activities. The county hopes to promote the international influence of its cultural halls through the campaign.

"With the help of overseas Chinese and the photos, the reputation of our cultural halls is being promoted across the world," said an official of local Party publicity department.

It has so far collected more than 200 entry photos from more than 30 countries, ranging from portraits, weddings, family gatherings, banquets and ceremonies.

Chen Yingping, a native of Yichen village now living in Slovakia, took a photo with his family at the village's cultural hall during Spring Festival, saying the photo is of great significance to him.

A Ukrainian music teacher working in Lishui city is also appreciative of the initiative after receiving a photo of herself performing at a cultural hall in Shankou village last January, She said it is the best New Year's present for her.