The Huizhou ancient city scenic spot in Shexian county elaborately prepared seven activities to encourage tourists to spend Spring Festival in Huizhou.

1. 1. Ancient costumes in Yamen and Huizhou culture learning activity

Time: Lunar New Year's Day to the sixth day of the lunar calendar (Feb 10 to 15)

The staff in Huizhou Yamen wore ancient costumes to greet and salute visitors. Tourists could experience what life in Yamen was like several hundred years ago. Soldiers stood on both sides of the gate wearing uniforms and holding spears to maintain order. They took photos with tourists to mark the occasion. Tourists could also wear ancient costumes to visit Yamen.

2: Zhong Kui costumes to pray for prosperity in the country and peace for the people

Time: Lunar New Year's Day to the third day of the lunar calendar (Feb 10 to 12) The Zhong Kui dance is a folk dance. A group of 16 performers from Xiong village and Yicheng village will perform. Actors will wear colorful costumes and dance in rhythm. In ancient times, actors placed puppets on their shoulders and danced. Later, people began to act as Zhong Kui. Zhong Kui is a demon killer and people show their desire to drive away evil forces and attain peace and happiness.

3: Huizhou marriage customs: Throwing an embroidered ball and lifting the bridal sedan. Time: 10:30 am from Lunar New Year's Day to the third day of lunar calendar (Feb 10 to 12).

Xiulou is a place where a single girl lived and embroidered three hundred years ago. In the activity, the actress, who was acting an anicent girl, threw an embroidered ball to audiences downstairs. The man who caught the ball would “marry” her. This game lets tourists take part a Huizhou cultural tradition.

4: The magistrate patrolling the street

Time: 9:00 am from Lunar New Year's Day to the third day of the lunar calendar (Feb 10 to 12).

The roles of prefecture magistrate and other officials were played by staff. Yamen runners, holding boards with characters like “Be Quiet” and “Detour” on them, walked in front. The magistrate of a prefecture walks in the middle of the team on a horse, the officials follow behind, and they patrol the streets during New Year’s as the ancient people did years ago. Yamen is the local bureaucrat's or mandarin's office of ancient China.

5: Lantern Festival lantern riddle

Time: Three days around Lantern Festival (Feb 23 to 25).

On the square before Yamen, staff collected and showed thousands of lantern riddles describing the scenic spot to attract tourists.

6: Strike the bell on the ancient tower

Time: Lunar New Year's Day to Lantern Festival (Feb 10 to 24).

Strike the bell on the ancient Renhe Tower to welcome 2013 and pray for happiness, harmony and health.

7: Meeting of theater fans and enthusiasts

Time: 9:00-10:00 am from the third day to the seventh day of the lunar calendar (Feb 12 to 16).

The County Cultural Center and social cultural groups will host a theatre fans and amateurs get-together on the square in front of Yamen to celebrate the New Year.