Activities galore as Shanghai gears up for Chinese New Year festivities

From exhibitions and concerts to temple fairs and light shows, Shanghai is laying out a warm welcome for tourists to experience authentic Chinese Lunar New Year flavors and celebrate the Spring Festival, which falls on February 10, with about 200 activities rolled out across the city.

The activities range from exhibitions and performances to delicacies and exploration events, enriching the holiday experience of both tourists and residents, it was revealed at a press conference yesterday.

During the eight-day holiday, more than 200 museums, art galleries and cultural venues across the city will host over 70 exhibitions, some of whose durations would extend beyond the holiday.

As 2024 marks the Year of the Dragon, Shanghai will host an array of dragon-themed activities at main shopping circles and tourist attractions, which is estimated to attract 10 million visits, the press conference heard.

At some popular attractions such as the Shanghai Disney Resort, Oriental Pearl TV Tower and Shanghai Happy Valley, Spring Festival bazaars will be held.

The city’s culture and tourism authorities have released English-version chunlian, or Spring Festival couplets, and vlogs featuring “Shanghai International Tourism Ambassadors” celebrating Spring Festival in Shanghai, inviting foreign friends to join in the celebration.

The city has prepared 30 performances catering to foreigners such as immersive Broadway musical “Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812” at the Shanghai Grand Theater.

About 800 local public sports facilities will be open during the holiday.

Between February 3 and 29, 10 parks will host 12 Spring Festival activities and five lectures.

The Shanghai Botanical Garden will put on display about 80 varieties of plants related to the Chinese zodiac and 50 varieties of nianxiao flowers (Spring Festival flowers).

Beautiful melodies will resound at Xujiahui Park in collaboration with the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.

An exhibition featuring spring flowers such as peony and azalea is currently ongoing at the Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden.