A ceremony marking the start of the Great Rivers Civilization Tourism Forum was held at the Hukou Waterfall scenic area, Linfen city, Shanxi province, on Sept 26.

Water from the Danube, Nile, Ganges, Volga, and the Irtysh rivers were poured into the Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River during the ceremony, as symbolism for the great rivers nurturing the respective civilizations that grew up around them and wishing further friendship between the countries located around these river basins.

Sites for the Great Rivers Civilization Tourism Forum and its secretariat were also unveiled at the event.

The main event of the forum was held on Sept 27 with experts and representatives of the six regions discussing research on sustainable development of tourism around the river basins.

A ceremony marking the start of the Great Rivers Civilization Tourism Forum was held at the Hukou Waterfall scenic area, Linfen city, Shanxi province, on Sept 26. [Photo/sxgov.cn]

Liu Shijun (middle), secretary general of World Tourism Alliance, gives a plaque for the Great Rivers Civilization Tourism Forum secretariat to Liu Yuqiang, mayor of Linfen city, at the ceremony, Sept 26. [Photo/sxgov.cn]