The cultural activity--2016 China?Chengdu (Qionglai) Travelling the Southern Silk Road--kicked off on December 27.

During the 12-day activity, a self-drive team will travel across a number of areas along the Southern Silk Road route, including Chengdu and Xichang in Sichuan Province, and Lijiang and Kunming in Yunnan Province.

A series of interesting activities, including a cultural tourism forum, a reality show demonstrating the bartering model along the ancient trade route and a photography exhibtion, will be staged.

The activity is co-hosted by Chengdu Tourism Bureau and Qionglai Municipal People's Government.

Qionglai is the first post on the ancient trade route that has a history of more than 2,000 years. The route serves as a cultural bridge connecting China's southwestern regions with Southeast and South Asia.

Qionglai, well-known for its beautiful scenery, long history, rich culture and folk customs, is exerting great efforts to develop ecological and cultural tourism.