Despite being far from home, astronauts aboard China's space station Tiangong on Monday spent the Chinese New Year's Even with their own festive party in orbit.
The Chinese New Year begins with the Spring Festival, which falls on Tuesday this year. This year ushers in a Year of the Horse, the seventh of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac.
In the beautifully decorated space station adorned with red lanterns, Chinese knots, and paper-cut crafts, the Shenzhou-21 trio presented a variety of performances. They played the mouth organ, engaged in clapper talk, and sang the song "The Five-Starred Red Flag Flies in Space," expressing their joy on the Chinese New Year's Eve. They concluded their show with a heartfelt poetry recitation.
During the nine-day official Spring Festival holiday season, aside from two days of regular days off, the three astronauts will continue with their scheduled work for the remaining time. They will successively complete various in-orbit experiments, and conduct cabin environment organization, platform maintenance, and so on.
Launched on Oct 31, 2025, the Shenzhou-21 crew is in a six-month space journey that has already exceeded 100 days. According to China's space agency -- China National Space Administration, all tasks, including scientific experiments, equipment maintenance, and health management, are progressing smoothly.
For the astronauts, physical exercise is an important part of their routine.
"Besides the popular treadmill, bicycle, and resistance training equipment, the Astronaut Center of China has also designed a core muscle training device for us, which I am currently using. I will use this device for core strength training, starting with the first exercise: the crunch. I hope everyone will put in the effort in the new year to strive for a happy life. Now I will proceed to the second exercise: the overhead press. I wish everyone in the new year to elevate their happy lives to new heights," said astronaut Wu Fei.
China's Shenzhou-21 crew holds party to celebrates Spring Festival
China's Shenzhou-21 crew holds party to celebrates Spring Festival
People across China ushered in the 2026 Chinese New Year -- a Year of the Horse -- on Tuesday with vibrant displays of intangible cultural heritage, folk performances, and festive market activities, drawing millions of visitors into immersive celebrations.
In northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the ancient city of Kashgar scenic area has transformed into a festive destination, with over 80 events held to welcome visitors to experience the rich tapestry of local culture during the nine-day holiday season of the Spring Festival, which is in the start of the Chinese New Year.
With a gate-opening ceremony at 10:30, the ancient city greeted visitors with traditional ethnic Uyghur dances and folk music.
"I think the ancient city is filled with the Spring Festival vibes. The gate-opening ceremony is of a strong festive atmosphere. Coming here for the Spring Festival makes an absolutely wonderful experience," said Mao, a tourist from Beijing.
At the entrance to a bazaar, performers from multiple ethnic groups, dressed in festive attire, were dancing and singing together, filling every corner of the ancient city with joy and holiday spirit.
In Putian City, east China's Fujian Province, a commercial street has been transformed into a pedestrian-only market zone with over 100 stalls offering thousands of items, ranging from local traditional food, to creative cultural products designed for the Year of the Horse -- the seventh of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac.
"I was able to sit down for a handicraft activity, transforming from a spectator into a participant. I just finished embroidering a red horse, perfect for the Spring Festival atmosphere," said Yao Xiuqi, a tourist from south China's Guangdong Province.
The eastern coastal city of Rizhao in Shangdong Province ushered in the Spring Festival with dazzling displays and lively performances.
In Dongyi Town, a morning parade featuring traditional dragon and lion dances, dry-land boat performances, and a Yangge dance winded through the streets.
A market alongside the parade route offered visitors local delicacies and cultural products.
In the ancient town in Juxian County, dressed in traditional Chinese attire, Hanfu, performers staged a captivating parade. Visitors strolled through the historic streets, immersing themselves in the unique blend of traditional culture and Spring Festival celebrations.
"The ancient town is truly lively today. Walking along, I've seen so many wonderful performances. It feels especially festive," said Xue Junjie, a visitor.
Vibrant celebrations held across China to usher in Year of Horse
