A bevy of beauties marked the opening of a property project in Hengqin. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Contestants in the 65th Miss World competition were at Hengqin in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, over the weekend, to celebrate the opening of a local property project.

The 115 contenders were helping to promote Hengqin as a major tourism destination following its approval as a pilot free trade zone in April.

The competitors were visiting the Phoenix Tree Building, a 188 m high landmark of Zhuhai, which will be developed as a commercial center for Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.

The contestants from 120 countries and regions will compete in the final of Miss World, one of the oldest international beauty pageants, in Sanya on Dec 19.

Early in the China leg of the competition in Shanghai during September, He Li, 25, from Nantong, Jiangsu province, beat 20 rivals to win the regional event.