Zhangjiakou Tourism Festival Displays Chinese New Year Culture

　　People bundle around a flaming charcoal fire to get warm on a chilly winter day, as well as offer blessings for the upcoming lunar New Year on Jan 13, 2019. [Photo by Li Ping/chinadaily.com.cn]

With a charcoal fire burning bright and fireworks blooming over the sky, the 2019 International Tourism Festival opened in grand fashion at Yuxian county, Zhangjiakou city in North China's Hebei province on Sunday.

Titled "Prosperous Chinese New Year", the two-month-long event features holiday-themed performances and delicacies, displays of traditional art and heritage and a dazzling lantern show at the county's central square. Sunday's opening was highlighted by a New Year parade covering a wide array of folk art and performances to the enjoyment of the crowd, ranging from lion dance and drum performances to displays of ancient customs, and yangge, a popular rural folk dance.

　　Displays of traditional customs at the 2019 International Tourism Festival in Yuxian. [Photo by Sun Ge/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Entering the second year of the Zhangjiakou International Tourism Festival and the ninth year of the Yuxian Folk Culture Tourism Festival, officials from the city government said they hope the county could become a popular model city for winter tourism in North China, combining well-preserved traditional culture with modern snow sports. Zhangjiakou, in Beijing's neighboring Hebei, will host the 2022 Winter Olympics along with the capital.

With a history of 1,439 years, Yuxian county boasts a unique ancient architectural complex. Its famed paper-cutting techniques and folk performances were passed down from ancient times. In 2018, Yuxian was listed as a National Famous Historical and Cultural City by the State Council, China's Cabinet.

　　People watch lion dance performances in Yuxian on Jan 13, 2019. [Photo by Sun Ge/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Running through March 8, the festival also opened its gate to international visitors this year in order to promote its history and culture to a wider audience.

Muhammad Shahzaib, a Pakistani student who currently studies medical science at Hebei North University, was among 20 international students from the college that toured the ancient county on Sunday. He said he enjoyed the unique cultural experience and was quite impressed by the jubilant performances as well as the colorful costumes of local performers.

　　Pakistani student Muhammad Shahzaib, center, takes a photo with his classmates at the Drum Tower of Yuxian on Jan 13, 2019. [Photo by Li Ping/chinadaily.com.cn]

　　A senior folk dancer is pictured on Jan 13, 2019. [Photo by Li Ping/chinadaily.com.cn]

　　Traditional Chinese gong performers are pictured on Jan 13, 2019. [Photo by Li Ping/chinadaily.com.cn]

　　Students from Hebei North University take a photo at the Drum Tower in Yuxian on Jan 13, 2019. [Photo by Li Ping/chinadaily.com.cn]