MOUNTAIN climbing has always been one way to celebrate the Double Ninth Festival.

　　This year, as many as 150,000 people in Shenzhen are expected to perform the annual ritual during the three days before and after the Double Ninth Festival which fell yesterday.

　　More than 100,000 Shenzhen residents went mountain climbing at the weekend, celebrating the festival ahead of time, yesterday’s Daily Sunshine reported.

　　There was a big increase in the number of climbers at Wutong Mountain and Big Nanshan Mountain at the weekend with cars lined up all the way down to the foot of the mountains. Well over 40,000 people and more than 1,000 vehicles were recorded in these two mountain areas, the Daily Sunshine report said.

　　Similar scenes were also seen at other mountains including Lotus Hill in the center of the city.

　　New road signs have been put up to prevent accidents as a result of people getting lost.

　　More than 1,200 security guards had been dispatched to various crossings on Big Nanshan Mountain to stand guard, check for dangerous articles and relieve traffic congestion. Big Nanshan Mountain was expected to see the most climbers because Yangtai Mountain and Tanglang Mountain were closed, the report said.

　　Authorities have reminded residents not to take kindling into the mountains. Violators will face fines between 200 yuan (US$24) and 500 yuan.

　　Wutong Mountain was temporarily closed from 4 p.m. yesterday until early this morning to stop residents from camping overnight. (Kang Wei)