Snow chrysanthemums at the foot of Daqingshan Mountain in Hohhot, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Aug 12 [Photo/people.com.cn]

Crowds of visitors from across the region thronged to the first snow chrysanthemum festival in Xincheng district in Hohhot, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Aug 12.

The snow chrysanthemum is a rare variety from China's Kunlun Mountains in northwestern Qinghai province. It is now usually used for flower tea because of its rich and healthy ingredients.

The festival features activities such as chrysanthemum picking, making chrysanthemum tea and related art performances.

According to the government, there are 600,000 chrysanthemum flowers in the region. The picking season lasts for three months, which will continue to bring crowds to the area.

Integrating planting with tourism is a key growth strategy of the local government, and also of great significance to poverty alleviation in the region.

Visitors pick snow chrysanthemums at the festival held in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Aug 12. [Photo/people.com.cn]