SHAOXING -- Outdoor enthusiasts in the Yangtze River Delta have been spoiled for choice in recent days with a range of colorful sporting events that celebrated local culture and the region's rivers, lakes and coastal scenery.

In east China's Zhejiang Province, an open-air yoga championship staged inside a scenic park gave competitors a chance to enjoy yoga in a beautiful natural setting.
"I'm very happy to be here to participate in this big event for yoga, to see really, very nice and professional yoga masters. It's a very beautiful place, it's a place for weekend," said a participant from France.
In Huai'an City, in east China's Jiangsu Province, nearly 1,000 swimmers participated in the third Hongze Lake Swimming Competition.
"This is the second time for me to participate in the event. I feel relaxed and happy. The event can fire up our enthusiasm for sports, and also bring visitors from all over the country to Hongze Lake," said a swimmer.
Off the course, a crab banquet for thousands was laid on, serving up sweet-fleshed Hongze hairy crabs and signature local dishes.
In Jiangsu, nearly 200 cyclists from 22 professional teams worldwide competed in the "Tour of Taihu Lake" road cycling race.
The route, extending for 435 kilometers, included shoreline and coastal stretches where the Yangtze River spills into the sea, letting riders soak up the unique natural scenery.