A lively snowfield racing competition covering thrilling horse races and traditional wrestling in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region added festive atmosphere to the Spring Festival, attracting tourists nationwide.
The horse race was held in Tekes County, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, during which skilled riders galloped across the field. Horse wrestling was even more exciting, with riders testing their strength and skill on horseback, frequently drawing cheers from the audience.
"I'm so happy to be able to race horses with my fellow villagers today! I wish our village all the best, and everyone peace and happiness," said Mahzan Yerhabul, a young horse racer.
The competition also featured lively dances and Aken performances, a traditional folk art form shared by the Kyrgyz and Kazakh people. Elderly villagers distributed candy and offered their best wishes for the Spring Festival. The festive and peaceful atmosphere attracted many tourists from across the country.
"I had never experienced such an event before, and I found it very interesting participating for the first time. I tried horse riding and snowmobiling, which I found particularly fun," said Zhang Lexin, a tourist from east China's Zhejiang Province.
The nine-day Spring Festival holiday started from Sunday.
Snowfield horse racing, wrestling in Xinjiang attract tourists nationwide
The Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, was marked in Cape Town, South Africa's legislative capital, where the city's Chinese and local communities came together for a day of festivities at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, one of Cape Town's landmarks.
As part of the celebration, the local and Chinese communities showcased their talents in arts and crafts at a day-long market. The festivities featured a range of activities, including fan-making, Chinese character calligraphy, and traditional food, offering visitors a vibrant taste of Spring Festival traditions.
One of the highlights of the celebration was a lively quiz competition, where members of the local communities tested their skills by speaking simple Mandarin phrases and answering challenging questions about Chinese culture. Winners walked away with prizes, adding an interactive edge to the festivities.
"So what we're trying to do is we're trying to bring the real atmosphere of celebration of the Chinese New Year to the people of Cape Town, and even to a large extent, to the people of South Africa. Gradually, more and more people fall in love with Chinese culture. [This is] especially also [evident] at different universities, where you see students start learning Chinese, speak Mandarin, and they learn to write in Chinese, especially Chinese calligraphy," said Dong Gang, director of the Cape Town Huaxing Arts Troupe.
"This year marks our fourth year. We have been holding the Cape Town Chinese New Year event for four years. Many friends in China say that the Cape Town Chinese New Year event is more festive than events back home. We think we've done a really good job. So we're very happy to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Cape Town," said Wu Zhimin, a member of the Cape Town Huaxing Arts Troupe.
The event reflects the growing cultural exchange between the two countries, according to the organizer.
Chinese New Year celebrated in South Africa's Cape Town
