People in China welcomed the New Year with vibrant celebrations and cultural displays on Tuesday night, from spectacular light show and night cruise to dazzling iron flower performances.
The combination of vibrant lights, festive events, and cultural showcases exemplified the spirit of celebration as people welcomed 2024 with joy and hope.
As the clock struck midnight, the bustling Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center in the city came alive with vibrant light shows and unique night cruises, drawing crowds of locals and tourists eager to welcome the new year.
In addition to the light display, the newly-opened Fushan Bay New Year's Eve special cruise also provided visitors with a fresh perspective and experience.
"This is my first New Year's Eve on a boat. It's very special and the scenery is beautiful," said Li, a tourist.
Meanwhile, in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Changshou District unveiled its spring festival lights, instantly filling the city with a peaceful festive atmosphere. As night fell, colorful decorations illuminated the streets, creating a comfortable urban landscape.
This year's light show prominently featured red and yellow hues, incorporating traditional elements such as red lanterns, Chinese knots and lucky bags, along with auspicious clouds, phoenixes, and pomelos, showcasing the region's characteristic culture.
"I think the fancy lanterns this year are very beautiful and spectacular. It's very colorful and in a new style. It brings strong New Year atmosphere," said Chen Hongling, a resident.
"The colorful lights has made the city more lively and warmer, providing a good place for citizens to take photos and hang out together, enhancing the festive atmosphere," said Chuan Yaqi, another resident.
In Kaifeng, an ancient capital in central China's Henan Province, elaborate fireworks lit up the night sky, greeting the arrival of 2025.
Traditional performances, including the "Iron Flower" intangible heritage performance, captivated spectators with molten iron tossed into the air, creating a dazzling shower of sparks against the backdrop of ancient architecture.
Cities ring in New Year with spectacular night celebrations
As the Qingming Festival approaches this Friday, various traditional folk activities have been held across China, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the occasion.
With a 2,500-year history, Qingming Festival, or the Festival of Pure Brightness, observed in early April, uniquely combines ancestral worship with the celebration of spring. Falling on the 15th day after the spring equinox, this ritual-rich observance reflects China's enduring values of ancestral veneration and inspires deep introspection about what gives life meaning.
In Sijia Village, Huayin City, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, a unique swing festival is held to mark the occasion. Eighteen different types of traditional swings, such as the spinning wheel swing, the Bagua swing reminiscent of a rotating carousel, and the balance swing designed for two people, have attracted many visitors.
Historically, Sijia Village served as a military post guarding the strategic Tongguan pass, a former mountain pass and fortress located south of the confluence of the Wei and Yellow Rivers. The swing tradition in the village has its origins in military training exercises like climbing and river crossing. The local swing culture further developed as regional trade flourished, eventually evolving into the "swing festival" that continues today.
"It's very exciting and tests your skill, endurance, and most importantly, your arm strength. You need to maintain balance," said Qu Xiangyang, a visitor.
In Rudong County, Nantong City, east China's Jiangsu Province, another traditional Qingming activity takes place - kite flying.
Flying kites as a way of making wishes is an age-old Qingming custom in this region. As a result, the Qingming Festival in Nantong is also known as the "Kite Festival."
The local Banyao whistling kite making skills is listed as one of the first national intangible cultural heritage items.
According to a folk culture expert, people traditionally write the names of diseases or misfortunes on paper, attach it to a kite, and release it into the sky. This practice is believed to drive away illness and disaster, while also serving as a way to make wishes.
In south China's Guangdong Province, a large tug-of-war competition is underway in Maoming City. Teams from different towns and streets are competing, attracting many locals to cheer on their teams.
Tug-of-war, which originated during the late Spring and Autumn period (770 BC - 476 BC), became part of Qingming customs during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty once organized large-scale tug-of-war competitions for the festival.
"Tug-of-war became very popular in the Tang Dynasty, even emerging as the national sport. It originated in the Jingchu region and later spread across the country. In ancient Lingnan (Southern China), tug-of-war games were a common tradition. Through these events, people seek to pray for peace, prosperity, and abundant harvests," said Yao Guojun, vice dean of the College of Arts and Law, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology.
Traditional folk activities held for Qingming Festival
