China's first tourist festival for farmers, which opened on November 1 in the town of Hengdian in east China's Zhejiang Province, has attracted tens of thousands of people.

The '99 China Farmers Tourist Festival is co-sponsored by the Zhejiang Provincial Tourism Bureau, the Jinhua City government, and several other organizations.

The three-day festival features a series of tours to local scenic spots and historical sites as well as art performances.

A tourist product fair and a technology fair will also be held during the festival.

Festival organizers said that this event aims to promote tourism in rural areas.

Chinese farmers are enjoying a better life and many of them are now able to afford tours.