Kunshan, home to old water towns such as Zhouzhuang and Jinxi, recreates ancient Spring Festival customs and culture. If you want to enjoy a different New Year's holiday, come to Kunshan and spend a special Spring Festival here!

Folk customs

Every year, Zhouzhuang town will hold a series of activities to celebrate the Spring Festival. On the first day of Chinese lunar New Year, locals in Zhouzhuang will hold a traditional ritual of beating a fake spring ox (Da Chun Niu) to pray for the country's prosperity and peace, as well as good weather for crops.

The Lantern Festival is another highlight of Zhouzhuang's New Year celebrations. During Lantern Festival, Zhouzhuang is not only decorated with lanterns, but also illuminated by fireworks and lanterns on boats shuttling across the river. Visitors can participate in a challenge contest with local people.

The Jinxi town features various folk dances, such as tiaohualan (dancers carrying a flower basket), dalianxiang (a folk dance and song with bamboo sticks) and danghuchuan (a dance that imitates rowing a boat).

On the first day of Chinese lunar New Year, Zhouzhuang town in Kunshan holds a traditional ritual of beating a fake spring ox (Da Chun Niu) to wish prosperity and peace for China, as well as good weather for crops. [Photo/ ks.js.cn]

Zhouzhuang town in Kunshan organizes lanterns show and challenge games during the Lantern Festival. [Photo/ ks.js.cn]

Tiaohualan (dancers carrying a flower basket) is a feature of Jinxi town's Spring Festival celebrations. [Photo/ ks.js.cn]