In Pics: Traditional Folk Celebrations for Lantern Festival Around Hunan

A "dragon dance for blessings" activity was launched at Xudong Village in Hengyang's Shigu District on February 2. A team of villager volunteers performed dragon dance around the village, to send blessings to every household. The photo shows villagers scrambling for touching the dragon head to pray for a good harvest. (Photo/Cao Zhengping and Liu Bosheng)

A "dragon dance for blessings" activity was launched at Xudong Village in Hengyang's Shigu District on February 2. A team of villager volunteers performed dragon dance around the village, to send blessings to every household. (Photo/Cao Zhengping and Liu Bosheng)

A series of Lantern Festival celebrations were held in Xintian County on February 2, including dragon and lion dances, intangible cultural heritage shows, and Qipao shows. The photo shows women in Qipao staged a show at the Long Family Courtyard in Jiantou Town, creating a happy and harmonious festive mood. (Photo/Liu Guixiong and Huang Hongfang)

A series of Lantern Festival celebrations were held in Xintian County on February 2, including dragon and lion dances, intangible cultural heritage shows, and Qipao shows. The photo shows women in Qipao staged a show at the Long Family Courtyard in Jiantou Town, creating a happy and harmonious festive mood. (Photo/Liu Guixiong and Huang Hongfang)

The Cultural, Tourism, and Sports Bureau of Kaifu District, Changsha, organized Lantern Festival celebrations on February 2. Various activities were held such as guessing lantern riddles, making Yuanxiao (glutinous rice balls for Lantern Festival), paper cutting, and ring toss game, to carry forward the traditional Chinese culture and present happy life and new fashion of the people. The photo shows people participating in a ring toss game. (Photo/Tian Chao, Hunan Daily)

The Cultural, Tourism, and Sports Bureau of Kaifu District, Changsha, organized Lantern Festival celebrations on February 2. Various activities were held such as guessing lantern riddles, making Yuanxiao (glutinous rice balls for Lantern Festival), paper cutting, and ring toss game, to carry forward the traditional Chinese culture and present happy life and new fashion of the people. The photo shows people guessing lantern riddles. (Photo/Tian Chao, Hunan Daily)

The Cultural, Tourism, and Sports Bureau of Kaifu District, Changsha, organized Lantern Festival celebrations on February 2. Various activities were held such as guessing lantern riddles, making Yuanxiao (glutinous rice balls for Lantern Festival), paper cutting, and ring toss game, to carry forward the traditional Chinese culture and present happy life and new fashion of the people. The photo shows people making Yuanxiao. (Photo/Tian Chao, Hunan Daily)

Chenzhou's Linwu County launched intangible cultural heritage themed Lantern Festival celebrations on February 2. People enjoyed Tangyuan, guessed lantern riddles, and watched opera performances together, adding a joyous festive atmosphere. The photo shows people eating Tangyuan while guessing lantern riddles. (Photo/Chen Weiping)

The photo, taken on February 2, shows villagers staging a Sanguan domino lanterns show at Jiangdong Village, Yunqiao Town, Qidong County. Qidong's Sanguan domino lanterns show is a folk art with a history of more than 700 years. The performers waved the domino lanterns, flower lanterns, and fish lanterns to form various patterns under the guidance of the team leader, making a spectacular scene. (Photo/Chen Yanshang and Zeng Weiyu)

The photo, taken on February 2, shows villagers staging a Sanguan domino lanterns show at Jiangdong Village, Yunqiao Town, Qidong County. Qidong's Sanguan domino lanterns show is a folk art with a history of more than 700 years. The performers waved the domino lanterns, flower lanterns, and fish lanterns to form various patterns under the guidance of the team leader, making a spectacular scene. (Photo/Chen Yanshang and Zeng Weiyu)

As the Lantern Festival approaches, Daoxian County organized various folk activities such as intangible cultural heritage shows and guessing lantern riddles. The photo shows children guessing lantern riddles at the Chen Shuxiang Revolutionary Cultural Park. (Photo/Jiang Keqing and Wen Zhangcai)

As the Lantern Festival approaches, Daoxian County organized various folk activities such as intangible cultural heritage shows and guessing lantern riddles. The photo shows people guessing lantern riddles at the Chen Shuxiang Revolutionary Cultural Park. (Photo/Jiang Keqing and Wen Zhangcai)

The photo, taken on February 2, shows villagers playing dragon dance at Shiqiu Village, Zhuquan Town, Jiahe County. As the Lantern Festival approaches, the county launched folk custom performances to pray for a good harvest in the new year. (Photo/Huang Chuntao)