The 16th Wuqiao International Circus Festival, one of China's most well-known circus festivals, will lift the curtain on festivities on September 29 in Shijiazhuang, North China's Hebei Province, China's Ministry of Culture, the event's organizer, announced on Tuesday in Beijing.

Wuqiao county's circus tradition can be traced back to as early as 1,500 years ago. In 2006, the Wuqiao Circus was included on China's National Intangible Culture Heritage list.

According to the ministry, this year is the biennial event's 30th anniversary.

The festival will invite 31 circus troupes from 18 countries and regions to stage their latest circus programs, which will include everything from aerial trapeze artists to entertaining clowns.

Additionally, the 10th International Circus Forum will also be held during the festival. The forum's theme will be "Circus Festivals and World Circus Art."