Workers send a panda-shaped hot air balloon into the sky at the national hot air balloon festival in Langfang on Friday, Oct. 26, 2007. [Photo: china.org.cn]

A red balloon filled with hot air takes shape at the national hot air balloon festival in Langfang on Friday, Oct. 26, 2007. [Photo: china.org.cn]

A worker walks in a hot air balloon that is being blown up at the national hot air balloon festival in Langfang, Oct. 26, 2007. [Photo: china.org.cn]

A balloon worker positions a panda-shaped hot air balloon at the national hot air balloon festival in Langfang, north China's Hebei province on Friday, Oct. 26, 2007. [Photo: china.org.cn]

A hot air balloon festival kicked off in Langfang, north China's Hebei Province, on Friday, attracting 30 teams with colorful balloons from across the country to take part.

Lots of activities have been arranged for the five-day festival, including parachuting, wedding ceremonies in the sky, aerial photography and flying, which should provide for a fantastic feast of balloon professionals, amateurs and spectators.

(CRIENGLISH.com October 27, 2007)