Shenzheners can get a glimpse of treasures including an emperor's costume worth more than 100 million yuan (US$13 million), as well as famous performances at low prices with today's opening of the annual cultural fair.

The Third China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industry Fair (ICIF) is open to all for the price of a 50-yuan ticket to enter the main venue - Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center. Entrance to the Animation Hall (No. 2 Hall) costs an additional 20 yuan. The ICIF lasts till Sunday.

Many valuable works are on show in the Art and Crafts Hall (No. 9 Hall). An embroidery robe copy of a Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) emperor's costume is said to be worth more than 100 million yuan.

For people who want to watch performances, the International Performance Hall (No. 5 Hall) will host 49 performances throughout the fair. The No. 3 Hall will host demonstrations of extreme sports.

Folk culture lovers can go to No. 1 Hall. Errenzhuan, a popular folk dance from Northeast China and acrobatics from Hubei Province will be performed.

At the Press and Publications Hall (No. 2 Hall), more than 40,000 books are on sale at a 21-percent discount. Several famous cartoonists will appear in the Animation Hall.

Apart from the main venue, subvenues are also hosting special events and products including a red china vase worth 330,000 yuan, a pu'er teacake to be sold at a reserve price of 300,000 yuan and furniture worth more than 200,000 yuan per piece.

Organizers say 37,000 buyers, including more than 9,000 from overseas, will attend the fair.

The added value of Shenzhen's culture-related industries reached 38.1 billion yuan in 2006, up 25.9 percent over 2005, according to the local statistics bureau.

Editor: Yan