Performers on stilts from Hebei province’s Anxin county at the opening ceremony, on Dec 8

Team of iron ball performers from Baoding, Hebei province at the festival’s opening ceremony, on Dec 8

The China Folk Sports & Art Festival in the city of Baoding, Hebei province, which opened on Dec 8, has brought in 11 folk sports events, with Baoding characteristics at the center, featuring such unusual items as spinning tops, iron balls, and shuttlecock kicking.

More than 3 million people are expected to take part in the festival, which is scheduled to last for 15 days.