Further along, children held up a large golden dragon puppet as crowds swarmed to get a better look. For the people of Heping, this day is far removed from their usual daily lives, as the population of the village swells with visitors, packing the streets and moving on from one performance to another.

Near the center of the village there is a basketball court where a large crowd had gathered and enthusiastic shouting can be heard. Loud groans and chants abound as two teams fight it out in an epic tug-of-war. In the adjoining courtyard, guests stare at lanterns affixed with puzzling riddles.

Foreigners fight it out in an epic tug-of-war on a basketball court in Heping village, Mashan town on Feb 21. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The wide range of festival customs is very interesting, according to Khalid, a foreign student studying food science at Jiangnan University. He and his fellow classmates felt proud to win prizes for solving the lantern riddles despite only learning Chinese for four months.

Performances of intangible heritages in the village included the mussel dance and danghuchuan (a dance that imitates rowing a boat) reflecting the customs of people living along Taihu Lake.

In the village square is set a main stage surrounded by hundreds of visitors, captivated as local singers, magicians and martial artists put on exciting displays.

Three-year-old Ludka dances danghuchuan at Heping village, Mashan town on Feb 21. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A young child joins her mother for the mussel dance at Heping village, Mashan town, on Feb 21. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]