Lanzhou, the capital of northwest China's Gansu Province, came alive this Chinese Lunar New Year 🎉 as young people donned traditional Hanfu attire and celebrated along the banks of the Yellow River, the \"mother river\" of the Chinese nation.
Zhao Xiaoyu, 24, finally fulfilled her dream of posing in Hanfu 📸. \"I always wanted photos of myself wearing Hanfu. Luckily, I got the opportunity just before the Spring Festival holiday,\" she shared.
The Yellow River that flows through Lanzhou is not just a river but a tapestry of culture, dotted with landmarks like the century-old iron bridge, scenic hills, and ancient temples. This year's Spring Festival fair, held along its banks, was a blend of tradition and modernity.
Among the 150 booths at the fair, one stall stood out—it offered makeup, Hanfu rentals, and professional photography. The operator, surnamed Yuan, was thrilled by the interest. \"This Spring Festival, more young people are taking photos and posting them on social media. It's a great way to tell the story of Lanzhou,\" Yuan said.
The fair was buzzing with traditional activities: dragon dances 🐲, lion dances 🦁, stilt walkers, and rhythmic drum performances 🥁. The air was electric with excitement.
Dong Yujie, 27, used a selfie stick to livestream the vibrant parade to a friend abroad 🌐. \"The sounds of the gongs, drums, and firecrackers bring back our childhood memories. This is the true flavor of the Spring Festival,\" he exclaimed.
The celebration didn't just stay local—it exploded online! 🎇 Topics about the fair garnered over 15 million views on Douyin (China's TikTok). Inspired by a folk music performance he saw online, local resident Wang Wei visited the fair with his family. \"We enjoyed the music in person, sipping hot local tea and soaking up the festive vibes,\" he smiled.
Xu Haifeng, an organizer of the folk music program, believes events like this unleash the cultural vitality of the Yellow River region. \"The fair brings traditional Chinese culture closer to young people,\" Xu noted.
From Hanfu selfies to livestreams, the youth of Lanzhou are embracing their heritage in fresh, exciting ways. It's more than a festival—it's a cultural renaissance connecting the past with the present, resonating with young hearts everywhere ❤️.
Reference(s):
Crowds in NW China celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year by Yellow River
cgtn.com
