In anticipation of the upcoming Chinese New Year, the city of Taicang in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, is gearing up for a series of vibrant and festive activities.

For example, at the 2024 inaugural Taicang New Year Festival and the Year of the Dragon Market, a diverse range of events will unfold. Visitors can explore areas dedicated to traditional New Year goods and unique agricultural products, peruse exhibits of time-honored brands, experience e-commerce products, and engage in interactive customs. Various New Year discounts will also be offered at the market.

Throughout the Spring Festival, Taicang will also host cultural experiences such as dragon and lion dances, lantern riddles, hanfu ( traditional Chinese-style clothing) parades, and lantern displays. Renowned cultural inheritors will be on hand to showcase and craft traditional heritage products.

Adding to the festivities, nighttime activities like the Yanshan Night Banquet, the New Year Lantern Festival at Rose Manor, and cultural hotspots such as Nanyang Square and Rothenburg Folk Street will enrich the lives of both residents and visitors during the evenings.

To further boost consumption during the Spring Festival, Taicang will distribute cultural and tourism consumption vouchers via its WeChat mini program on Feb 4 and Feb 23. These vouchers can be utilized for purchasing tickets to scenic spots, reserving hotels and homestays, participating in performances, and buying amusement and cultural products.

During the Spring Festival period, all State-owned scenic spots in the city will offer a 50 percent discount, and public transportation will be free of charge, providing additional incentives for locals and tourists to partake in the festive spirit.

A child in hanfu plays with a fish lantern. [Photo/WeChat account: tcfbgw]