30 sand sculptors gathered on the Zhoushan Islands in East China's Zhejiang Province for the 11th International Sand Sculpture Festival.

The theme of this year's festival is the "future ocean city". In the 10-thousand square meter area, the participants are shaping more than 50 sand sculptures. The world-renowned cities built on the sea, the legendary ancient cities in the ocean, and the 2010 Shanghai World Expo Pavilions are their inspirations.

Sand sculptors from China, the United States, Holland and Spain are competing on the same beach. Zhoushan's own Wang Shanzhong has participated the festival twice before. Now, he has established a certain reputation and is confident about his work, Taoyaomen Bridge, which links the islands in the Zhoushan area.

Wang Shanzhong, sand sculptor, said, "It takes a lot of energy and I've given 200 percent effort. It will look magnificent."

Wang Jie, from Tianjin city, is participating in the festival for the first time. His creation is about a harvest day for the fishermen.

Kevin Croft is from the United States and this is his fourth appearance at the event. He's building a sand Amsterdam to the competition.

The 16-day event will run until September 28th.