From lion dances on towering platforms to molten iron fireworks painting the night sky, ancient towns in central China's Henan Province are celebrating the Spring Festival with breathtaking folk performances, bringing tradition and festivity to life.
The festival, or the beginning of a Chinese New Year, marks an occasion for family reunions and cultural festivities, as well as for making best wishes.
At Heshangjie Ancient Town in Henan's Luohe City, the New Year celebrations are in full swing with an array of intangible cultural heritage performances.
Among them, lion dance is a big draw.
At Shenzhou Bird Park, nine "lions" leap, roll, climb and battle on tightropes in midair before reaching a 17-meter-high tower.
At the climax, one lion ascends to the very top of the tower, performing daring acrobatics, leaving the audience in awe.
With 69 daily folk performances throughout the Spring Festival period, the ancient town is brimming with New Year spirit.
In addition to lion dances, the Shenzhou Bird Park in the city offers a bird artistry show, with more than 300 birds, including mallards, swans, parrots and peacocks taking the stage in a mesmerizing display, sending festive greetings to visitors.
The performance also includes an interactive bird science session, promoting environmental awareness and encouraging children to protect wildlife.
Another must-see is the fiery spectacle featuring traditional Chinese fire artistry.
One of the highlights is dashuhua, or molten iron fireworks, a Henan-specific intangible cultural heritage performance where a performer hurls molten iron into the sky while another strikes it, creating a shower of dazzling sparks resembling a fire tree in bloom.
Set against a backdrop of lantern displays, the show embodies the essence of a fiery and festive Chinese New Year.
This spectacular event will run until Feb 13, a day after the Lantern Festival. In other cities of Henan, vibrant lanterns, cultural performances and bustling temple fairs are immersing the people in the joy of the Chinese New Year.
At a cultural park in the provincial capital city Zhengzhou, nearly 100 special performances daily enable visitors to experience the New Year traditions of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) up close.
The visitors also don Tang-style attire, indulge in Tang-era cuisine and explore Tang-era folk traditions, stepping into a fully immersive celebration of history and culture.
In Luoyang City, scenic attractions are offering visitors a New Year celebration with various ancient activities.
"We made a special trip to Luoyang for the New Year. The festive atmosphere here is incredibly rich and truly fascinating," said Zhu Minyi, a visitor.
Meanwhile, at the Nandun Ancient City Temple Fair in Xiangcheng City, intricately designed lanterns cast a warm glow over the celebrations, enhancing the holiday spirit.
Over 30 live performances take place daily, drawing crowds to folk shows, temple fairs and traditional delicacies, offering a unique taste of the New Year's ambiance.
"I come here every year for the Spring Festival and the festive spirit keeps growing stronger. There are many traditional performances. I think they are really nice," said Wei Wenhui, a local resident.
Central China's Henan greets new year with vibrant folk activities
