The highly anticipated 2025 dual-color copper alloy commemorative coins and banknotes in celebration of the upcoming Chinese New Year were officially available for exchange on Friday, sparking a collecting craze in east China's Shanghai.
At 8:30 on Friday, the Huancheng Road branch of China Construction Bank (CCB) in Jiading District opened its doors 30 minutes earlier to accommodate eager citizens.
Within minutes, more than 20 people formed an orderly queue to exchange their pre-booked items. Among them, Liu Jianguo was one of the lucky few who successfully secured 60 coins and 40 banknotes celebrating the Year of the Snake.
"This year's design is very meaningful. The snake holding a traditional ornament 'ruyi' in its mouth symbolizes auspiciousness and everything going smoothly," said Liu.
Other bank outlets in Songjiang, Qingpu, and Minhang districts also opened early to meet public demand.
"The design of the banknote is beautiful. Since I was born in the Year of the Snake, it holds special significance for me," said another Shanghai resident.
"It's the first day to get the commemorative banknotes, and I'm thrilled to have secured a set," said a Shanghai resident.
"It's so difficult to get these. Luck, timing, and persistence all play a part. My nephew was born in the Year of the Snake, and I want to reserve one set for him as a souvenir," said a Shanghai local.
The 2025 commemorative coins, with a face value of 10 yuan, and the commemorative banknotes, valued at 20 yuan, are each limited to a nationwide release of 100 million units.
The exchange period runs from January 3 to January 9.
Commemorative coins, banknotes spark collecting craze in Shanghai
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
