The China (Huangshan) International Mountaineering Competition reeled off in Mount Huangshan, a famous tourist site in east China's Anhui Province on Saturday.

The meet attracted a total of 487 amateur mountaineers from 79 teams both at home and abroad, including 46 from domestic enterprises and associations, and six from Chinese universities.

Twenty-five foreign countries and regions, including the United States, Australia and Russia, also sent 26 teams for the event, which covers a total distance of 7.5 kilometers.

This is the first time for Mount Huangshan, a renowned scenic spot as World Cultural and Natural Heritage, to hold such an international mountaineering event.

"The international sports event is going to combine mountaineering, entertainment and tourism together," Cheng Yongning, deputy major of Huangshan city, said in the press conference on Nov. 11.

The event is being co-hosted by China National Mountaineering Association, Anhui Provincial Sports Administration and Huangshan Municipal People's Government.

(Xinhua News Agency November 12, 2005)