Chinese lute players set new Guinness record

Over 2,000 people played the Chinese lute together in Jiuzhaigou county in Sichuan province, setting a new Guinness World Record for the largest lute ensemble, the media reported on Monday.

The group of 2015 people on Sunday night played a traditional Chinese tune. The performance lasted for about 10 minutes, the Global Times reported.

Wu Xiaohong, a Guinness World Records notary, announced that the group had broken the world record after the performance.

"The event was held to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival, and to spread traditional culture," said Ze Jun, the event organiser, said.

The lute is one of the most ancient musical instruments in China.

In 2012, a 2,012-player group played the Chinese lute together in the city of Liaoyuan, known as the "home of lutes in China" in Jilin province, setting the previous Guinness record.