While billions of Chinese nationals continue to travel, both domestically and internationally, during the Spring Festival period, many of those awaiting the arrival of enthusiastic celebrants and revelers prepare the traditions that have long embodied the enchantment of the Lunar New Year.
State news agency Xinhua spoke with Chinese citizens in both mainland China and Tibet this week, as the Buddhists of the latter region concurrently welcomed the Year of the Wooden Ram on Thursday.
In Caoxian County, located in the northern Shandong Province, Wang Yuzhe was awake early on the first day of the new year to clean away the remnants of the previous evening's festivities so that he could prepare a traditional breakfast with his family. Food is cherished throughout the entire country at this time of year and the northern areas are no exception, with dumplings considered an unmissable inaugural meal.
In the southern region of China, a wheat preference results in the sharing of "tang yuan," which are balls formed from glutinous or sticky rice. Also on the first day of the sheep year, Hangzhou's Zhang Menghui sat in new attire with her family to enjoy tang yuan. Zhang explained that she follows the same ritual when she is in Hong Kong, where she is employed.
"For the festivals . . . I eat tang yuan with friends to express my longing for home," she said.
In Qamdo, a prefecture-level city of the Tibet Autonomous Region, big family lunches involving Yak meat and rice cooked with ginseng fruits took place on Thursday.
Meanwhile, in the capital of the Xinjiang Autonomous Region, a grandfather relayed his joy at spending the new year with his son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren:
"We stay at home on the first day of new year according to tradition. We see our in-laws tomorrow and visit other relatives the day after tomorrow."
An earnest reminder was also provided by Li Xinyong, vice president of the National Folk Association of China, who encouraged his compatriots to use the event to "foster a deeper understanding of their cultural identity."