The opening ceremony of the 16th Games of Gansu Province at Dingxi City Stadium on Sept 4. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The 16th Games of Gansu Province and the 12th Provincial Games for Persons with Disabilities commenced at the Dingxi City Stadium on Sept 4, marking Dingxi's first hosting of the highest-level and largest-scale comprehensive sports event in Gansu since the first provincial games in 1952.

The opening ceremony showcased Dingxi's historical and cultural heritage, including its role as a key Silk Road town and a site of the Bangluo Town Conference, a significant event during the Long March.

Local symbols like wide noodles were highlighted using advanced light and shadow technology, reflecting the region's rich heritage, ecological evolution, and sports spirit.

The main torch was lit using flames from the Majiayao site, Bangluo Town Conference Memorial Hall, and Zheyang Mountain, symbolizing a blend of civilization, revolutionary spirit, and ecological harmony.

The games feature youth and mass participation divisions, with 19 major and 24 minor events for youth, and 25 events for the mass participation group, supported by over 1,100 volunteers.

Alongside the games, Dingxi will host a beer carnival, cultural arts month, and a calligraphy exhibition to integrate sports, culture, and tourism.