There was a ceremony to announce the beginning of "Pingyao 2014 Chinese New Year", on Jan 23, on Yingxunmen Square, in the city of Pingyao, Shanxi province, with Wang Lei, vice-head of the provincial publicity bureau, and Huang Yaochun, head of the municipal publicity dep’t, on hand for the ceremony.

There will be celebrations with a theme of "Walk into town for 1,000 years of history", running to Feb 15, with some major activities, such as a lantern festival, Shehuo performance, folk customs experiences, Chinese opera, painting and calligraphy exhibits, and video shooting.

This New Year, tourists can also get a feel of Chinese customs in Pingyao at the New Year’s dinner, or by making dumplings, having a Spring Festival stroll, seeing some drama and Shehuo performances, or more than 20 other types of local shows.

"Pingyao 2014 Chinese New Year" is a part of the country's "Celebrating Spring Festival" activities, with backing by the Central Civilization Office, which began back in 2009. Pingyao has had many such activities since then, and the "Pingyao Chinese New Year" has become a well-known brand for promoting culture, prosperity, and development in the province.

Edited by Roger Bradshaw