HAIKOU, China, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Country Garden Cup 2018 Tour of Hainan cycling race opened here on Monday in Danzhou city, in China's southern island province of Hainan.

The nine-day tour, running from October 23 to 31, will consist of nine stages, covering a total length of 1,481 kilometers. Cyclists will start and finish the race in Danzhou city, passing though 17 cities and counties in Hainan.

A total of 20 teams, comprising seven intercontinental professional teams, 12 intercontinental teams and one national team from Switzerland, will compete in the race, vying for a total purse of around 350,000 U.S. dollars.

This year's event is the 13th edition of the Tour of Hainan.