Pingyao Chinese New Year, one of the cultural events of Pingyao county, was scheduled to take place from Jan 20 to Feb 12, 2017, according to a press conference held in Taiyuan on Dec 9.

Organized by the Pingyao government, the event will consist of seven themed activities which include opera performances, art exhibitions and calligraphy, promoting unique local traditional customs and the culture of the Spring Festival in North China. Visitors can learn more about folk customs in the county while experiencing local celebrations, including lion dancing and stilt walking.

A press conference regarding Pingyao Chinese New Year is held in Taiyuan on Dec 9. [Photo/sxrb.com]

"The 2017 Pingyao Chinese New Year will invite more residents in the county to join in to help create more original and novel cultural programs and shows, allowing visitors to better appreciate the charms of Pingyao and the local Spring Festival," said Wu Xiaohua, a top official in the county.

The annual event, initiated in 2006, has attracted many tourists from around China and beyond. In 2016, Pingyao received 265,000 tourists during the event, representing year-on-year growth of 11.49 percent. It was listed as one of the top activities to promote the culture of Chinese New Year by the central government in 2009, due to its popularity and influence.

"With years of effort, we have turned the Pingyao Chinese New Year into an important cultural event for the county and Shanxi province. We hope that more people will come to the ancient city of Pingyao and have a taste of the local Spring Festival," said Ren Xiuhong, an official in Jinzhong.

Shi Yong, head of Pingyao county, answers reporters' questions about details of Pingyao Chinese New Year at the press conference on Dec 9. [Photo/pingyao.gov.cn]