A suona performance. [Photo/qz123.com]

An ethnic song and dance welcome ceremony was held at the Quzhou Daxicheng Banquet Hall to celebrate the 26th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China on July 2. A total of 140 tourists from Hong Kong - the first group of Hong Kong tourists to visit the city this year - participated in the ceremony.

The event featured dance, song, suona (a loud, high-pitched traditional Chinese musical instrument) and pipa performances. Promotional videos of Quzhou were also shown to the tourists.

Yu Li-chuan, one of the Hong Kong tourists, said that she had heard about the history of Quzhou's Temple of Southern Confucianism and was very much looking forward to it.

"This afternoon, I finally visited the Temple of Southern Confucianism and experienced its rich cultural heritage. I also visited Duze Old Street and bought many handicrafts. We also welcome people from Quzhou to visit Hong Kong," said Yu.

Most of the tourists are over 60 years old. According to the itinerary, they will visit well-known scenic spots such as Yaowang Mountain, Longyou Grottoes, and Shuitingmen. Many of the scenic spots on the itinerary offer free admission.

"The next Hong Kong travel group of about 200 people will come to Quzhou at the end of August," said Lan Xiaocheng, general manager of Qucheng Tourism Co Ltd. The company will also continuously optimize the route according to feedback from Hong Kong tourists. It expects to receive more than 2,000 Hong Kong tourists this year.