人们忙着迎接马年到来

As the lunar New Year holiday gets closer, people all over China are preparing for the annual celebrations.

The coming lunar New Year marks the year of the horse on the Chinese zodiac, and a lantern show in Shanghai intends to highlight that. Staff members are still testing the installations for the show, which officially opens on January the 31st.

Meanwhile, in the ancient city of Suqian in east China’s Jiangsu Province, people are searching for traditional decorations for their house. Many have come to papercut artist Zhang Yaping’s workshop.

"Red papercuttings are some of the most traditional decorations for new year. The color represents festivity, and people love traditional patterns. I have a lot of orders this month." said Zhang Yaping, Folk Artist.

But to usher in the new year, you must say goodbye to the old one first. A fishing village located in Huzhou of Zhejiang Province is doing so by holding their annual fish banquet.

The cuisine features dozens of kinds of fish, representing the years’ good harvest. More than 10,000 kilograms of fish are used. By doing so, villagers are also wishing for a greater harvest in the coming New Year.

"This tradition started in the Ming dynasty, some 600 years ago. Our village has over one thousand households. Everyone comes out for this tradition every year. And we will pass it on." said Zhang Jincai, Villager.

Festivities will reach their peak when New Year’s Eve arrives on January 30th.