In Ningxia, life mimics a master painting

Forty-seven hectares of blossoming sunflowers on Helan Mountain in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region form a golden scene that reminds people of paintings by Vincent van Gogh.

Throngs of residents and tourists came to take photos, draw and paint as the local government hosted a sunflower-oriented culture, tourism and art festival in late August. They were invited to paint sunflowers on a long, transparent plastic sheet and write the names of animals around the mountain, or paint their images in a call to the public to protect nature.

The event, which showcases the special landscape of the mountain, aims to enrich the tourism experience and promote rural vitalization, local authorities said.