A special parade featuring kung fu performances is seen at the opening ceremony of the 11th International Shaolin Kung Fu Festival in Dengfeng, Central China's Henan province, on Oct 16, 2016. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

The 11th International Shaolin Kung Fu Festival kicked off at the Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng, Central China's Henan province, on Sunday.

More than 2,000 athletes from 68 countries and regions took part in the festival, which lasts until Oct 20. Most will compete in martial arts events and some will be trying to achieve a Wushu grade.

Besides kung fu shows and matches, there was also a special 12-kilometer parade at the opening ceremony featuring performances by 478 kung fu groups.

As the cradle of Shaolin Wushu, about 100,000 students or Wushu lovers from around the world have learned the Chinese martial art in Wushu schools around the Shaolin Temple.

The International Shaolin Wushu Festival in Zhengzhou was first held in 1991 to improve the international influence of the Chinese martial art.