To celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival, which falls on Feb 5 this year, Anting old street in Jiading district plans to hold a great variety of activities to entertain visitors and residents. Below are some that are worth mentioning.
Dragon dances and lion dances are traditional Chinese performances that have symbolic implications in Chinese culture. Visitors can pray for a prosperous year while watching the performances.
Games such as shuttlecock and rubber band skipping were popular back when electronic equipment was less developed. Competitive games will be held for adults to relish in their childhood memories.
Tangyuan (a glutinous rice ball) symbolizes togetherness and completeness in China and will be offered to people who have to work during holidays, such as delivery men and sanitary workers.
Visitors can also dress up in hanfu – Chinese traditional clothing, and try to solve lantern riddles while appreciating the lovely lanterns during the festival.
There will also be vendors selling traditional handicrafts, such as sugar paintings, dough figurines and paper-cut artworks, which will create an intense festive atmosphere on the street.
Handicrafts of various cartoon characters are for sale on Anting old street. [Photo/WeChat account: sh-jiading]