The first national sand painting competition was held in Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province on Friday, organized by Zhoushan International Sand Sculpture Co. Ltd. 

The first round was held from June 15 to July 15. Contestants submitted videos of their painting process through the Internet. 

On the day of the competition, the top 20 were selected from over 100 participants for the semi-finals. The top 10 contestants then went through the semi-finals to compete in the last round.

Contestants showed their best sand art during the final competition. Chen Hezuo, a Zhoushan native, won for a sand painting based on the traditional Chinese tale, The Butterfly Lovers. 

The five judges were Kseniya Simonova, a Ukrainian sand painting artist, Gao Zanmin, a Chinese sand painting artist; Lin Haiyong, a member of the China Oil Painting Society; Chi Shahong, deputy president of the Zhejiang Painting Academy and Wang Minjie, a member of the China Artists Association.

Ding Wenxi, the deputy manager of Zhoushan International Sand Sculpture Co. Ltd. said that sand painting is an increasingly popular art form, becoming common performances in weddings, ceremonies and parties.

Ding said that Zhoushan's five sandy beaches provide good resources. Sand sculpting and painting are main tourist attractions in Zhoushan.