The 17th Gannan Shambhala Tourism Festival kicked off at Dangzhou Grassland in Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture on July 17.

Shambhala, also known as “Shangri-la,” means paradise in the Tibetan language. The festival aims to display the unique folk customs and culture of Tibetan ethnic group in Gansu.

Riders perform the horse racing at the opening ceremony of Shambhala Tourism Festival in Gannan, Northwest China’s Gansu province, July 17, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Riders perform the horse racing at the opening ceremony of Shambhala Tourism Festival in Gannan, Northwest China’s Gansu province, July 17, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

People dance at the opening ceremony of Shambhala Tourism Festival in Gannan, Northwest China’s Gansu province, July 17, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Riders perform the horse racing at the opening ceremony of Shambhala Tourism Festival in Gannan, Northwest China’s Gansu province, July 17, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Riders perform the horse racing at the opening ceremony of Shambhala Tourism Festival in Gannan, Northwest China’s Gansu province, July 17, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Dancers perform at the opening ceremony of Shambhala Tourism Festival in Gannan, Northwest China’s Gansu province, July 17, 2016.[Photo/Xinhua]

People throw Longda, white papers printed with horses, for praying at the opening ceremony of Shambhala Tourism Festival in Gannan, Northwest China’s Gansu province, July 17, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Dancers perform Tibetan drama at the opening ceremony of Shambhala Tourism Festival in Gannan, Northwest China’s Gansu province, July 17, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

People dance at the opening ceremony of Shambhala Tourism Festival in Gannan, Northwest China’s Gansu province, July 17, 2016.[Photo/Xinhua]