Photos taken by Zhejiang Daily show the night before a grand gaokao (national college entrance exam) send-off ceremony in Maotanchang High School in Lu’an, east China's Anhui Province, on June 4, 2019.

In the morning, buses carrying thousands of gaokao testers will depart the school. Many parents will take part in the send-off ceremony.

Usually, gaokao spread over from June 7 to 8 and lasts for about nine hours per day depending upon the provinces. It is a prerequisite for entry into the undergraduate level.

Maotanchang, known as Asia’s largest test-prep factory, has gained fame in recent years for its rigorous and industrial model of education and promise of gaokao success. It has also caused much controversy about education in China. Today Maotanchang Town’s supply of the gaokao testers is one of the largest in Anhui Province.

Parents pray and burn Kongming Lanterns to bring their children good luck on the college entrance exams.

(Executive Editor: Yongliu He)