As the Chinese lunar new year of 2014 gets closer, preparations in the old town of Pingyao, Shanxi province are coming to a close, with hopes of making this year’s festival more lively and vibrant, under the theme "Walking into town to feel thousands years of history".

The celebrations will run from Jan 23 to Feb 15, with eight major activities -- an opening ceremony, lantern festival, Shehuo performance, folk customs experience, Chinese opera performance, painting and calligraphy exhibition, and video shooting activity.

The opening ceremony will be held on Jan 23, on Yingxun Gate Square, in Pingyao and the many colorful activities to ring in the Chinese Lunar year will bring the locals and visitors from China and abroad a happy and lucky Spring Festival.

Edited by Roger Bradshaw