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The Seventh Shenzhen Yangtai Mountain Climbing Race will be held Oct. 22 at Yangtai Mountain to celebrate the Chinese Double Ninth Festival.

This race, observing the customs in the previous six races, will focus on environmental protection and fitness. It is also an activity organized by the municipal government in promoting the city's top eight scenic spots.

The Double Ninth Festival, dated the ninth day of the ninth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, is a Chinese holiday. It began as early as the Warring States Period (475 BC-221 BC). According to the yin/yang dichotomy that forms a basis to the Chinese world view, yin represents the elements of darkness and yang represents life and brightness. The number nine is regarded as yang. The ninth day of the ninth month is a double yang day, hence was named the Double Ninth Festival (Chong Yang Festival). (Chong means "repeat" in Chinese.)

The ninth month also heralds the approach of winter. It is a time when the living needs warm clothing, and filial Chinese sons and daughters extended this to make the festival a time for providing winter clothes for their ancestors. The Double Ninth Festival, therefore, also became an occasion to visit the graves of dead family members. Clothes made of paper would then be burnt as offerings.

On the Double Ninth Festival, people customarily climb mountains, appreciate chrysanthemum flowers, drink chrysanthemum wine, and eat double-ninth cakes. The Double Ninth Festival is also the "Old Men Festival." Old people are meant to improve their health by taking part in the activities on the day of the festival.