From traditional lion dance performance to spectacular drone show, events featuring time-honored traditions or integrating advanced technology have been held in various parts of China over the past few days to celebrate the Spring Festival marking the start of the Chinese New Year.
As China's most important annual celebration, the Spring Festival is a time for family reunions, marking old traditions and looking forward to new beginnings. This year, the main festivities kicked off on Wednesday.
In Boai County, Jiaozuo City, central China's Henan Province, a traditional fair has been held, where visitors can watch lion dance and other folk performances, and enjoy nice local food.
"This is the first Spring Festival after it is inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity [by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization]. We brought our children from Wuhan to Boai to experience it. Celebrations here feature intangible cultural heritages and local delicacies. It is very festive," said Wang Qian, a tourist.
Similarly, in Changzhi City, north China's Shanxi Province, a tourist resort is entertaining holidaymakers with performances featuring intangible cultural heritages, including dragon dance and opera performances.
"It's very festive and lively. Wish us all prosperity and harmony," said a tourist.
When night falls, 10 sets of large, colorful lanterns will light up the resort. Some of them are made by drawing inspection from Monkey King and other popular figures from Chinese folklores and literary works.
"They are very novel and very beautiful. It is very festive," said a tourist.
In central China's Hubei Province, many cities have held traditional temple fairs, impressing visitors with mesmerizing performances.
Huohu (fire pot) performance, a dazzling spectacle combining tradition, artistry and courage, is staged in a theme park in the provincial capital city of Wuhan City. During the show, performers swing around burning pots, creating sparks that glisten in the air.
The park also organizes float parade and other activities, and prepares nice street foods including dried beancurd sheets, which is made out of a blend of green bean powder, eggs, milk and flour.
"It's hustling and bustling. We watched a float parade and strolled around the temple fair. My child ate the traditional food of dried beancurd sheets. We are very happy," said Yu Huan, a visitor.
In Jingzhou City, drones weave into different formations with alternated colors, welcoming the arrival of the Chinese New Year and presenting a visual feast to visitors.
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Spring Festival celebrations staged in various parts of China