The Spring Festival Gala's stage in Hefei in east China's Anhui Province displayed some stunning designs integrating traditional art and cutting-edge technology in the show on Monday, demonstrating the city's unique heritage and its leading role at the forefront of China's sci-tech sector.
Hosted by the China Media Group (CMG), the long-running gala this year features four different remote venues in addition to the main stage in Beijing. Taking the grand show to new locations each year has become a new tradition, shining a spotlight on more of China's varied landscapes and cultural traditions.
As well as Hefei, the other venues this year are Harbin, the provincial capital of Heilongjiang in northeast China known as the "ice city," Yiwu in east China's Zhejiang, which has been dubbed "the world's supermarket," and Yibin in southwestern Sichuan Province, known for its ancient architecture and picturesque scenery along the banks of the Yangtze River.
In Hefei, the unique characteristics of Anhui Province were brought to life with performances combining dance themed on traditional Chinese ink and Huangmei opera. A stunning technological display featuring low-flying drones highlighted the harmonious fusion of technology and culture, illuminating the rich history and modern dynamism of the region.
The venue also showcased the Comprehensive Research Facility for Fusion Technology (CRAFT), a Hefei-based platform where engineers develop and test key components for fusion energy reactors, highlighting the city's role as a leader in China's sci-tech sector.
The Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, is the most important traditional holiday for the Chinese people, and watching the Spring Festival Gala, also known as "Chunwan," is a cherished part of the celebrations every year in hundreds of millions of Chinese homes.
Since it was first broadcast in 1983, the gala has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the most-watched annual television program on the planet.
The festival itself has been inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Chinese New Year's Day falls on Tuesday this year, ushering in the Year of the Horse.
Hefei displays rich history, tech advancements in 7-minute show at Spring Festival Gala
