Neixiang Holds Lively Lantern Festival Celebrations

The Ancient Neixiang County Government Office, a national 4A tourism attraction in Neixiang county, Nanyang, Henan, is holding a series of folk performances and interactive activities on its historical and cultural street to welcome this year's Lantern Festival, which falls on Feb 19.

Activities include a lion dance, land boat dance, drum beating, and lantern riddle solving. People who can solve the lantern riddle will receive a prize.

The historical site will also offer plays and traditional operas the day after the Lantern Festival. One highlight will be a special folk program telling the story of a county magistrate's spouse and showcasing the ancient customs of Neixiang county.

According to the annals of Neixiang, people were usually not allowed to enter the inner chambers of women in the magistrate's office. However, the day after the Lantern Festival, the office was always decorated with lanterns and streamers and eager women and children could enter to see the magistrate's wife and receive free snacks.

A folk performance recounting an ancient Neixiang story is held at the Ancient Neixiang County Government Office in Henan province. [Photo by Miao Yexi/epaper.01ny.cn]