MANDALAY, Myanmar, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's ruby land of Mogok in Mandalay region celebrated its 800th anniversary of founding Thursday, with the participation of 6,000 local ethnic people in their different traditional costumes.
Foreigners were allowed to visit the festival which also marked the discovery of ruby and gems at the land of Mogok.
"It has been a long time that foreign visitors have been forbidden to enter the ruby land and we (Mandalay region government) are planning to propose to the union government over easing the travel restrictions for foreigners for development of the region as well as introducing Myanmar's gems to the global market," Mandalay Region Chief Minister Zaw Myint Maung told Xinhua.
Aiming at promoting gems industry and tourism in the town, the three-day festival will be held until March 31.
Mogok is well-known for its gemstones, especially ruby and sapphire. Some 90 percent of rubies of the country are produced from Mogok.
It is also home to Myanmar, Shan, Palaung, Lisu, Chin, Koekant, Gurkhas and Pa-Oh ethnic people, having a total population of over 150,000.