With the approach of the Chinese Lunar New Year, on Jan 14, the 19th Xiqing Folk Culture Tourism Festival, sponsored by the Tianjin Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, the CPC Xiqing Committee of Tianjin, and the People's Government of Xiqing District of Tianjin, opened in Yangliuqing town. Chen Bing, deputy director of the Tianjin Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, and Lu Ying, member of the Standing Committee of Xiqing and director of the Publicity Department of Xiqing district, attended the event and delivered speeches respectively.

On the day of Little New Year (Chinese: Xiaonian, which usually falls a week before lunar New Year, falls on Jan 14 this year), Yangliuqing, an ancient town along the Grand Canal, has seen much festivities: dragon dancing, lion dancing, stilt walking, and a folk flower show with strong local characteristics. At the intangible cultural heritage market, Yangliuqing New Year's pictures, kites, paper cuttings and other intangible cultural heritage skills were displayed, attracting tourists to appreciate and purchase the unique products. 

The opening ceremony of the 19th Xiqing Folk Culture Tourism Festival [Photo provided by Publicity Department of Xiqing district]

At the opening ceremony, many theatrical performances, including folk dancing, a female solo, Jingyun drums, and crosstalk were arranged. At the calligrapher's on-site meeting, free gifts of Spring Festival couplets were provided to visitors, creating a festive atmosphere for the Chinese Lunar New Year.

This year’s folk culture tourism festival will be open to the public until Feb 16. Integrating various cultural, commercial, sport and tourist elements, it has launched a total of 25 cultural and tourism activities and 2 special boutique routes for the Chinese Lunar New Year, creating a happy and peaceful festival atmosphere, meeting the diverse needs of tourists, and promoting the recovery of cultural and tourism consumption.

Yangliuqing Ancient Town Scenic Area has launched a folk flower fair and opera performances at Wawabaoyu Square, Yihe Hall and the Shijia Theater; Spring Festival Temple Fairs have organized folk performances, such as dragon and lion dancing, iron forging and other performances in the scenic areas. Xinkou town has also set up a series of folk activities, such as a shopping carnival and riddles.

Lion dance performance [Photo provided by Publicity Department of Xiqing district]

Furthermore, the various activities in the countryside also enable visitors to enjoy their time this winter. The 2nd Winter Fishing Festival, the 3rd Ice and Snow Festival and other activities have given opportunities to people to experience traditional winter fishing and other activities; the Ice and Snow Sports Carnival has arranged snow CS, snow bumper cars, and curling; Tianjin Tropical Botanical Garden is hosting the 12th Tulip Cultural Tourism Festival, presenting a colorful festive scene to welcome the Chinese Lunar New Year.

An opera performance [Photo provided by Publicity Department of Xiqing district]

Xiqing has strengthened its tourism services, carried out publicity and promotion activities for Chinese Lunar New Year, and organized folk and tourism experts to visit Xiqing, so as to promote local cultural and tourism products, expand the popularity of cultural and tourism enterprises, and provide high-quality services for tourists.