As the Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, is just around the corner, people across China are welcoming the Year of the Horse with time-honored traditions, vibrant folk performances and joyous community gatherings.
In Songyang County, east China's Zhejiang Province, the ancient cliff-side village of Chenjiapu is dressed in festive red, with giant Spring Festival couplets and red lanterns adorning the rammed earth walls.
Perched at an average altitude of 850 meters with an elevation drop of over 200 meters, the 600-year-old settlement glows with festive atmosphere, drawing visitors to enjoy the picturesque scene.
For the Chinese people, Hanging Spring Festival couplets, or Chunlian in Chinese, on doors and walls is a common and important custom when they are celebrating the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb 17 this year.
In Hanchuan City, central China's Hubei Province, local residents and tourists gathered together in the old town to enjoy a variety of intangible cultural heritage performances.
Thirteen historic streets in the old town have been given a complete makeover, with renovation works wrapping up in early January this year. With resurfaced roads, repaired walkways and upgraded lighting systems throughout the area, the streets have become a vibrant gathering place.
"The dragon dance, lion dance, clam shell dance and land boat dance are so lively and exciting. This is the liveliest scene I have seen in years. It truly makes me happy," said local resident Fang Zhichun.
By the Hanjiang River, the largest tributary of the Yangtze River, a drone light show transformed the night sky into a canvas, with formations in the shape of dragon, and phoenix. Meanwhile, a fireworks display in the area drew cheers from the audience, in anticipation of a prosperous new year.
In Jiangyin City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Changjiang Village, one of the richest villages in the country, held its annual Spring Festival gala on Saturday evening.
The venue was festively decorated, as thousands of villagers gathered to enjoy traditional food and performances, celebrating the upcoming festival together.
"I married into Changjiang Village, and I heard it was always incredibly lively here during the Spring Festival. Now I'm experiencing it myself. It has quite a festive atmosphere," said Gao Fei, a local resident.
People across China celebrate Spring Festival with traditions
People across China celebrate Spring Festival with traditions
