A grand parade featuring participants from various ethnic groups donned their signature costumes and vibrant folk performances was held Sunday in Guiyang, the capital city of southwest China's Guizhou Province, to mark the 15th China Tourism Day that falls on Monday this year.

More than 3,600 performers from nine cities and prefectures across Guizhou formed 26 distinctive phalanxes. They marched along a 2,300-meter-long route connecting the city landmarks of Guiyang.

The carnival served as a "mobile grand stage" for energetic instrumental and dance shows and display of millennium-old handicraft techniques, showcasing the rich and diverse ethnic cultures of Guizhou.

"We want to embody that all ethnic groups in China unite as a family. The confidence demonstrated [by the parade] is the cultural confidence of the Chinese nation. We turn the central urban road sections into a grand stage showcasing ethnic solidarity," said Tang Huang, director of the parade.

The grand parade celebration held in Guiyang was part of the countdown city relay for Chinese Tourism Day, which is organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Guizhou is abundant in tourism resources, featuring attractive natural ecology and rich ethnic customs. It boasts internationally renowned sites and diverse forms of ethnic intangible cultural heritage.

The event not only presented popular scenic spots and tourist destinations across the province, but also promoted representative cultural, sports and tourism brands, drawing spectators from all over the country.

"I came from Shandong Province. Several phalanxes marched in front me, and I was particularly shocked. At the same time, I also felt the prosperity of our motherland and the great unity of the nation," said Xu Fei, a tourist.