The 34th International Mount Tai Climbing Festival kicks off at Daimiao Square in Tai'an, Shandong province on Sept 6. [Photo/dzwww.com]

The 34th International Mount Tai Climbing Festival opened at Daimiao Square in Tai'an, Shandong province on Sept 6.

Nearly 3,000 people took part in the event. Participants were divided by gender and ranged from 18 to 35 years old.

They set off from the north gate of Dai Temple, at the foot of Mount Tai.

Nearly 3,000 people take part in the event. [Photo by Zong Laisong/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The finish line for men?was located at Nantian Gate, which required participants to climb 8.1 kilometers, or about 5,695 steps. It had a relative height of 1,255 meters.

Women finished at Zhongtian Gate, requiring them to climb 5.4 kilometers, or 2,399 steps. The relative height of the gate?was 675 meters.

Sang Kehao finished first for men with a time of one hour two minutes and 18 seconds, while Zhou Xian won for women with a time of 38 minutes and 23 seconds.

Since 1987, the International Mount Tai Climbing Festival has gradually become a large tourist event integrating sports, culture, tourism, and trade. It has developed into a promotional tool for Mount Tai.

The top three men accept their prizes at the award ceremony for the 34th International Mount Tai Climbing Competition. [Photo by Zong Laisong/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]