Iconic landmarks worldwide have been illuminated red to mark the Spring Festival, the biggest holiday in China, together with a tapestry of activities from an auto parade to a fireworks show, spreading the festive joy globally.
The Spring Festival or the Chinese New Year fell Wednesday this year, marking the first day of the Year of the Snake, the 6th in the cycle of 12 zodiac animals on the Chinese calendar.
This year marks the first Spring Festival since it was officially inscribed on UNESCO's list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, further amplifying the festive atmosphere.
In the United Arab Emirates, a convoy of 60 new energy vehicles from 13 Chinese vehicle companies drove all the way from Dubai to Abu Dhabi during a Spring Festival parade, conveying the concept of green development and technological innovation to the people of the UAE.
Upon their arrival, the convoy was displayed near the central fountain area, illuminated by the "Happy Spring Festival" emblem, drawing a significant crowd of locals eager to test drive the vehicles.
During the event, prominent Chinese EV manufacturers like Chery, BYD, Xpeng, Seres, Zeeker, GAC, Changan, SAIC Motor, Geely, Great Wall Motor, JAC and Dongfeng showcased their top-selling models to advance the promotion of a green lifestyle in this thriving market.
"This event has further confirmed what I have always believed about China: China is always at the forefront of innovation and invention," said a member of the Al-Nuaimi royal family of Ajman.
When the night fell, Scotland's iconic Edinburgh Castle was illuminated red, marking the Chinese New Year on Wednesday.
"Happy New Year. I hope that you enjoyed it, have a good time and enjoy the next year. And good luck to everyone," said a tourist from Cyprus.
Canada's tourist attraction Niagara Falls and Toronto's landmark CN Tower were lit up in Chinese red Wednesday to celebrate the Year of the Snake. Each display ran for 15 minutes.
For the first time in history, Toronto rang in the Chinese New Year with a dazzling fireworks fiesta at Nathan Phillips Square Saturday, lighting up the night sky above Toronto City Hall in a dazzling display of cultural pride, tradition, and joy to welcome the Year of the Snake.
World landmarks illuminated red to mark Chinese New Year
China's Qingming Festival holiday has turned flower viewing into a showcase of cultural heritage, drawing tourists and boosting local economies.
From references to "The Book of Songs", a treasured Confucian classic and China's oldest poetry collection, to longstanding flower festivals, organizers are promoting flower viewing as cultural tourism, weaving poetry and tradition into spring outings.
Hebi City in central China's Henan Province is drawing crowds with magnolias, tulips and crabapples, alongside 87 cherry blossom varieties. The blooms have become a major Qingming Festival attraction, prompting local authorities to pair tourism with cultural heritage.
As one of the birthplaces of The Book of Songs, Hebi has launched a campaign offering free entry to scenic spots for visitors who recite verses from the ancient classic. The initiative links flower viewing with a text long regarded as a cornerstone of Chinese literature.
In Binzhou, east China's Shandong Province, a park spanning 240 hectares, roughly the size of 330 football fields, is covered in blossoms, making it one of the largest spring displays in the region. The park uses smart drip irrigation to keep flowers hydrated and extend their peak season.
Originating in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), the Huazhao (Flower Deities) Festival in Xinzhou District of Wuhan boasts more than 800 years of history. Listed as a provincial intangible cultural heritage in 2011, it remains the largest folk celebration in eastern Hubei, drawing thousands of visitors each spring. A parade featuring 12 flower deities winds through the streets, anchoring the festival as both a cultural showcase and a tourism draw.
"The plum blossom represents noble character, the peach blossom radiant beauty. We hope more people will come to discover the Huazhao Festival," said Qinghuan, a performer portraying the Osmanthus Deity.
Outside the Shanxi Museum in Taiyuan City, apricot trees are in full bloom. Their pale pink petals flutter in the breeze, lining the museum's corridors and echoing the deep history within. Visitors pause to photograph the unique blend of ancient architecture and fleeting spring beauty.
During the Qingming Festival holiday, the Beijing Garden of World's Flowers turned into a "spring palette." A nearly 2,000-square-meter sea of flowers burst into color. Against this floral backdrop, traditional experiences such as archery, tea whisking and movable-type printing drew crowds seeking a holiday filled with blossoms and cultural charm.
The garden features over 40 varieties of alpine and deciduous rhododendrons in shades of purple, pink and white, layered like clouds of silk. Along the flower-lined paths, colorful benches and ribbons create picture-perfect spots. Visitors wander, stop to admire, or raise their phones to capture a moment of spring romance.
"We hope these vibrant, contrasting floral colors bring a little healing and joy to people's lives, a space to relax and find peace amid the spring bloom," said Shi Wenfang, director of the Beijing Garden of World's Flowers. Beyond flower viewing, the garden is hosting its annual Huazhao Festival during the holiday. Now in its fifth year, the event has attracted nearly 300,000 visitors in total. The festivities run through April 6.
Falling on April 5 this year, the Qingming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, is a traditional Chinese festival for honoring the deceased and paying tributes to ancestors. The three-day holiday from Saturday to Monday also provides a short break for Chinese citizens to enjoy outdoor activities and sightseeing in pleasant springtime temperatures.
Compiled between the Western Zhou Dynasty and the Spring and Autumn Period (1100 B.C. - 476 B.C.), "The Book of Songs" contains at least 305 poems and is recognized as a Confucian classic.
Flower viewing draws holiday crowds across China during Qingming Festival
