A vibrant array of cultural events blending traditional folklores with modern festivities are being held across China to celebrate the Spring Festival that begins on Tuesday.
The Spring Festival, which falls on Feb 17 or Tuesday this year, marks the start of the Chinese New Year. This year ushers in the Year of the Horse, the seventh of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac.
A series of grand performances embracing China's intangible cultural heritage have ignited joyful spirits across the country and boosted domestic tourism.
As Spring Festival celebrations are in full swing, many foreign tourists went to southwest China's Chengdu to enjoy the festivity.
At the temple fair held at Wuhou Shrine, one of Chengdu's most iconic landmarks, tourists have the opportunity to experience intangible cultural heritage folk activities.
At a temple fair in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Chinese calligraphy enthusiasts write Spring Festival couplets and Chinese character "Fu", which means good fortune, filling the air with joy and excitement.
The picturesque Wujiang Village in Zunyi City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, offered holidaymakers the chance to experience ethnic customs by taking part in over 30 kinds of distinctive folk activities, such as folk song singing and bamboo pole dancing.
In Changchun City of northeast China's Jilin Province, the lively Yanko dance, with its energetic movements and resounding performances of traditional Chinese musical instruments such as suonas, gongs, and drums, created a festive atmosphere for every visitor.
In 15 cities in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the streets were bustling with Shehuo folk performances, dragon and lion dances from south China, the Ansai waist drum from northwest China, and yangko dance from northeast China, attracting both locals and tourists.
Ahead of the 2026 Chinese New Year, a waterfront tourist dock in Chun'an County, east China's Zhejiang Province, came alive as over 200 performers, adorned in traditional attire, danced with vibrant "bamboo horses." These were colorful cloth-covered steeds mounted on bamboo frames, which the performers tied around their waists.
In the Chinese zodiac, the horse symbolizes speed, endurance and an enterprising spirit. To jubilant music, the colorful troupe pranced and leaped, forming a lively, joyful procession that offered a fresh and exhilarating experience for the audience.
In Baoshan City's Shidian County in southwest China's Yunnan Province, many visitors have been enjoying a traditional banquet featuring authentic local Chinese New Year flavors.
During the festival, dazzling light shows illuminate the night. In Wuxi City, east China's Jiangsu Province, thousands of lanterns brighten high streets and back lanes, while vibrant Spring Festival celebrations create a festive atmosphere.
Besides taking photos in front of the multi-hued lanterns, visitors can also have a taste of the various snacks with local characteristics offered at food stands.
Fish lantern dance performances drew many tourists on Monday night to the rich festive atmosphere of an ancient village of Yixian County in east China's Anhui Province.
Chaoyang City in northeast China's Liaoning Province and Harbin City of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province are staging lantern shows featuring lanterns with horse images to greet the Year of the Horse.
China filled with festivities as Spring Festival arrives
