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A memorial ceremony is held in Shaoxing, Zhejiang province, on April 20. [Photo/Zhejiang Daily]

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

The ceremony was attended by government officials, descendants of Yu the Great, and tourists from home and abroad.

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

Shaoxing is where Yu's mausoleum lies today and where the most widely heard story of his is said to have taken place.

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

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

Since then, a memorial ceremony for Yu the Great has been held on April 20 every year.