Lanzhou, the vibrant capital of northwest China's Gansu Province, came alive this Chinese Lunar New Year with festivities along the iconic Yellow River. Amidst the scenic backdrop of a century-old iron bridge park, hills, and temples, locals and tourists gathered to celebrate the Spring Festival in style.
One of the highlights was Zhao Xiaoyu, a 24-year-old resident, who donned traditional Hanfu attire and captured memorable moments with a professional photographer. \"I always wanted to have photos of myself wearing Hanfu. Luckily, I got the opportunity just before the Spring Festival holiday,\" Zhao shared.
The Spring Festival fair, which featured around 150 booths, offered a variety of activities, including makeup and traditional clothing rentals, attracting crowds eager to participate and share their experiences on social media. Yuan, the operator of a local photography studio, noted, \"This Spring Festival, more young people have been taking photos and posting them on their social media accounts. This is a good way to tell the story of Lanzhou.\"
Visitors enjoyed traditional performances such as dragon dances, lion dances, stilt shows, and drum performances, creating a lively atmosphere reminiscent of childhood memories. Dong Yujie, a 27-year-old livestreamer, captured the parade's essence online, reflecting the deep cultural roots of the festivities.
The event also gained significant online traction, with related topics amassing over 15 million views on Douyin, China's leading short-video platform. This digital engagement not only highlighted the cultural richness of the fair but also showcased Lanzhou's unique blend of tradition and modernity.
Families like Wang Wei's made the journey to experience the festivities firsthand, enjoying folk music performances and local specialties by the Yellow River. Xu Haifeng, one of the folk music program organizers, emphasized the fair's role in revitalizing traditional culture and boosting the local economy. \"The fair by the Yellow River brings traditional Chinese culture closer to young people,\" Xu remarked.
Reference(s):
Crowds in NW China celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year by Yellow River
cgtn.com
