Ordinary people are being encouraged to join artists in the increasingly popular pastime of sand carving in a theme park in east China's Zhejiang Province.

A number of sand sculptures depicting scenes and figures from fairy tales and fictions such as Harry Potter and Gulliver's Travels have already been built in the Future World Theme Park in Hangzhou.

It is said that more than 1,000 tons of sand has been moved from the beach to the park. During the on-going exhibition of sand sculptures, tourists and viewers can volunteer to join artists in their creation.

With sand and water as basic materials, sand carving embodies the features of sculpture, painting, architecture, sport and outdoor entertainment.

Analysts say that sand carving is not merely a kind of recreational art in cities, it has flourished into a profitable tourist attraction around the world.

(Xinhua News Agency April 27, 2002)