Organizers launch the mud carnival on July 14 on Xiushan Island, Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/zhoushan.cn] 

A mud festival was held on July 14 on Xiushan Island, Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province. Around 200 local residents including expats got down and dirty for a day of mud-filled festivities.

Initiated in 2005, the festival has been held a total of 12 times, enriching local life and boosting local tourism and marine culture.

Xiushan Island, located in the middle of the Zhoushan Archipelago New Area, is a famous tourist destination in China, known as "Shangri-La on the Sea".