Northeastern Liaoning province's Xingcheng city has launched a winter tourism festival in early January.

Ten themed programs, including New Year lantern fair, folk embroidery, calligraphy and photography exhibitions, as well as hot spring and winter swimming experiences would be staged in the city through February 20.

The festival is part of local authority's efforts to boost winter culture and tourism development in the region.

At the same time, the Xingcheng government signed an agreement to build a national microfilm shooting facility at the launch ceremony of the festival.