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Worshipers dance to commemorate Yu the Great, a legendary Chinese hero who tamed the Yellow River and made it beneficial to farming in Shaoxing on April 20. [Photo/shaoxing.com.cn]

Thousands of people gathered to celebrate the birthday of Yu the Great in Shaoxing, East China's Zhejiang province, on April 20.

Yu the Great, a legendary hero in ancient China, is known for his great feat in controlling floods and for his upright character when he founded and ruled the Xia Dynasty (c. 21st century-16th century BC), the first dynasty in Chinese history to follow the hereditary system.

The ceremony was attended by the provincial government officials of Zhejiang, local government officials of Shaoxing, descendants of Yu the Great, and minority groups from across the country.

Descendants of Yu the Great attend the ceremony in Shaoxing on April 20. [Photo/shaoxing.com.cn]

After Yu the Great died, he was buried in Kuaiji, now Shaoxing in Zhejiang province, and activities to worship and memorialize him started.

Since 1949, Shaoxing government has attached great importance to the protection of Yu's temple and has regularly allocated funds for its renovation.

Worshipers play music during the ceremony in Shaoxing on April 20. [Photo/shaoxing.com.cn]

On April 20, 1995, a grand memorial ceremony for Yu the Great was held, drawing thousands of people from all walks of life around the world. The grand ceremony was regarded as the beginning of Yu the Great worship in the new era.

Since then, a memorial ceremony for Yu the Great has been held on April 20 every year. A grand ceremony is held every five years.