Tibetan artists perform during the opening ceremony of the 4th Tourism & Cultural Festival in eastern Tibet's Mangkang County, September 3. [Photo/Tibet Daily]

The 4th Tourism & Culture Festival opens along the famous Ancient Tea and Horse Road in eastern Tibet's Mangkang County, September 3.

Themed as "time-honored road, prosperous Mangkang", the festival will take on rich cultural activities, including art performances, sales exhibition, horse racing festival as well as bonfire party.

The festival is held every three years with increasing scale and reputation, and it lasts from September 3 to 5 this year.

Originated in the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.), the Ancient Tea and Horse Road was an important trading road in southwest and northwest bordering areas of ancient China, covering regions in Sichuan, Tibet and Yunan.

Renowned for its historical status, the Mangkang County boasts rich agricultural products and natural resources, especially  magnificent scenery along the Lancang and Jinsha rivers.