China Celebrates Spring Festival with Distinct Regional Traditions

Beijing: The atmosphere across China is lively with celebrations for the Spring Festival, from north to south. People across China are celebrating the Spring Festival with great enthusiasm and joy, from the north to the south, according to local traditions.

According to Thai News Agency, Chinese people celebrate the Spring Festival with great enthusiasm across the country, showcasing distinct regional characteristics. For example, in the Altai City of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in northwest China, dragon parades combine traditional horse-drawn carriages with ethnic cultural elements, accompanied by performances of the "Dombra," a traditional Kazakh instrument.

Meanwhile, in the ancient city of Huize, Yunnan Province, in southwest China, intangible cultural heritage and creative folk activities are showcased along its historically significant alleys, captivating tourists.

In addition, holiday markets were opened across the country. In Mudanjiang City, Heilongjiang Province, in the northeast, a large fair was held for locals and tourists to buy festive goods and sample local food. Similarly, in Changxing County, Zhejiang Province, people flocked to try the traditional "fish and lamb banquet," a dish symbolizing abundance. In the south, in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, people went to the century-old flower market to buy auspicious flowers to decorate their homes and create a spring-like atmosphere during the holiday.

The festive atmosphere permeated not only business districts but also everywhere, from day to night. In Beijing, over 300 landmarks were illuminated with colorful lights, encompassing both historical sites and modern skyscrapers. In Shanghai, commercial districts were decorated with auspicious lanterns for good fortune. Meanwhile, in Jiangxi Province, residents of the ancient town of Changrao organized a parade of 100-meter-long dragon lanterns through historic streets, captivating onlookers with its magnificent spectacle.

The Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, falls on February 17th this year, marking the official start of the Year of the Horse. The horse is the seventh animal in the 12-year Chinese zodiac, symbolizing power and elegance at the beginning of a new year.