More than 50 teams from over 40 countries and regions took part in the the eighth Cangzhou International Martial Arts Festival which opened at Shicheng Square of Cangzhou City, north China's Hebei Province, on Oct. 9.

Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the eighth Cangzhou International Martial Arts Festival at Shicheng Square of Cangzhou City, north China's Hebei Province, Oct. 9, 2010.

Over 15 thousand martial arts lovers performed Chinese martial arts together at the same time during the festival, setting a new record of China Shanghai Great World Dsjjns (Top of China).

Cangzhou is the famous hometown of martial arts. Enjoying equal fame with central China's Dengfeng and southeast China's Putian, Cangzhou is one of the three traditional martial arts centers.

With a long history, Cangzhou has various martial arts sects. A person born in Cangzhou is probably to be asked whether he is good at martial arts during his first meeting with others. In late Qing Dynasty, many martial arts masters emerged. The most famous master is Wang Wu, who was called Big Blade. Another master Huo Yuanjia (1868-1910 A.D.), whose original family home was in Cangzhou, was regarded as a national hero for his continuous victories over foreign challengers.

There are over 600 martial arts schools in Cangzhou now, where martial arts fans from all over the world learn and practice martial arts. In local middle and primary schools, martial arts are listed on sports courses. More than 300 schools established their own martial arts teams.

Martial arts has become an important cultural industry in the city. Some people make their living by teaching martial arts. However, most of people practise martial arts for body building and health.