People across China ring in Spring Festival with culture-rich activities

Festive vibes are getting richer across China as people are welcoming the arrival of Spring Festival with various characteristic activities.

In Xiaxian County of north China's Shanxi Province, traditional performances like stilt walking and lion dance have won rounds of applause from spectators. People can also enjoy over 100 of local delicacies, with some of them being intangible cultural heritage.

The Wudang Mountain scenic spot in Hubei Province's Shiyan City has turned into a colorful cultural world, with several artistic performances on stage.

From dancing, martial art to acrobatics, these shows have created a comprehensive immersive experience for tourists with the help of visual devices and hologram technology.

During the Spring Festival holiday, the scenic spot will also hold additional light show and lantern fair, wowing visitors with its unique charm and rich festive atmosphere.

"We hope, with these colorful artistic performances, tourists around the world will come to Wudang Mountain in Hubei Province's Shiyan City to celebrate the Spring Festival," said He Yaochen, person in charge of the scenic spot.

Right before the Chinese New Year, a village gala was held on the bank of the Lugu Lake in Lijiang City of southwest China's Yunnan Province. Villagers showed their talents with instrumental performances and dancing, attracting a lot of tourists.

"I feel so lucky to see such a wonderful show and the stunning view, and to experience the amazing culture," said a tourist.

Some residents in Luoyang City of central China's Henan Province had a chance to closely watch shows of intangible cultural heritage, such as lion dance, "Bian Lian" (face-changing) and fire-spitting.

They also ate tasty food and played games at a Spring Festival fair.

"I'm very happy. This has made our life more colorful," said Cheng Lingling, a local resident.

Baoqing County in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province is buzzing with excitement, as a Spring Festival fair is packed with local food and daily necessities to celebrate the festival.

People across China ring in Spring Festival with culture-rich activities

Chinese President Xi Jinping and visiting French President Emmanuel Macron held friendly exchanges on Friday in Dujiangyan in Chengdu, the capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Macron arrived in Chengdu on the previous evening for the second stop of his three-day state visit to China at the invitation of President Xi.

Upon their arrival in Chengdu, Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, were warmly received by Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan. Welcoming them to Sichuan, which is known in China as the "Land of Abundance", Xi recalled his visit last year to France's Hautes-Pyrenees Department at Macron's invitation. Xi said he believed that Macron's latest visit will help further deepen his understanding of China.

The two presidents together visited the more than two-millennia-old Dujiangyan irrigation system, a major water conservancy project located along the Minjiang River which was built during China's Warring States period (475-221 BC) and has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Xi noted that the Dujiangyan irrigation system is the world's only ancient irrigation project still in operation today, and also one of the earliest successful practices of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature, adding that its construction process fully reflects the Chinese nation's spirit of constant self-improvement, fearlessness in the face of hardships, and courage to forge ahead.

Macron is set to conclude his state visit to China later on Friday, after having held talks with senior Chinese leaders in Beijing before traveling to Chengdu late on Thursday.

The French president is currently embarking on his fourth state visit to the country, with this being a reciprocal visit following President Xi's historic trip to France last year which came as the two sides marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations.

The city of Chengdu also has a long-standing relationship with France. In 1981, Chengdu and France's Montpellier became the first pair of sister cities between the two countries.

Xi, Macron visit site of ancient irrigation system in Chengdu