China is entering its peak festive season as the Spring Festival approaches, with millions flocking to food fairs, flower markets, and watching traditional performances that mark the country's most cherished holiday.
The Spring Festival, which falls on Feb 17 this year, marks the start of the Chinese New Year, the most important holiday in China. This year ushers in the Year of the Horse, the seventh animal in the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle.
In Ningde City, east China’s Fujian Province, a bustling food fair has opened with more than 50 stalls serving local delicacies, filling the air with enticing aromas and a joyful anticipation for the Spring Festival.
On the other side of the square, folk artists took the stage with traditional performances including Beilu Opera, Yue Opera, and the Taishun puppet show, as the thunder of gongs and drums mingled with cheers and applause from the crowd.
"I came back home earlier this year to celebrate the Spring Festival. After a busy year, upon my return, I enjoyed watching traditional opera performances and savoring the flavors of my hometown. I felt so happy and fulfilled," said a local resident.
Meanwhile, in Yicheng County, north China's Shanxi Province, early morning markets bustle with villagers from nearby towns stocking up on festive goods. Stalls there are packed with roasted nuts, fried cakes, fresh produce, red spring couplets and other festive decorations.
Elsewhere in Shanxi, residents in Jincheng City are embracing a beloved Spring Festival tradition, making and eating "sugared melons," a corn syrup snack prepared during Xiaonian festival, also known as the Kitchen God Festival. The sweet offering carries symbolic meaning, believed to seal the Kitchen God's lips so he reports only good news to heaven.
Meanwhile, flower markets across the country are in full bloom. At a major butterfly orchid cultivation base in Shijiazhuang, north China's Hebei Province, more than 100,000 vibrant orchids are blossoming in hues of rose red, pink, and orange, attracting crowds of shoppers.
"We mainly serve markets in Shijiazhuang and neighboring cities. Since the launch of direct sales, we receive hundreds of visitors daily during weekend peaks," said Ma Wei, director of butterfly orchid cultivation base at Jinxiu Orchid Industry Technology Co.
People across China embrace festive spirit as Spring Festival approaches
