Art exhibition and symphony performance marked the beginning of the Qiantang River culture week in Beijing on July 23.

The event was hosted by governments of Zhejiang province's capital Hangzhou and its Jianggan district. It's part of the Qiantang River culture festival, which has drawn in 2.8 million visitors over the past three years.

Qiantang River has been hailed the mother river of Zhejiang, and nurtured profound culture on its path during the long course of history, says Teng Yong, Party secretary of Jianggan district.

The culture week aimed to help the capital residents and travelers better understand the development of the river culture over the years.

The exhibition has shown more than 240 art items, including local prize-winning calligraphy works, Chinese paintings and engravings. It would last till July 28 at the National Art Museum of China.

The symphony presents distinctive culture elements along the Qiantang River. It premiered at the National Center for the Performing Arts on the opening day of the culture week.

The symphony was composed by artists from the Chinese Musicians' Association and the Central Conservatory of Music, and performed by the China National Symphony Orchestra.