Ancient Taiyuan county in Shanxi province, which was founded in 1375, has now been restored to its Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) appearance, and is playing host to a fair to celebrate its past.

As a major event of Taiyuan Ancient Town Lantern Carnival, the Ming Dynasty Fair highlights culture, trade and people’s daily lives during that period.

Tourists can tour local government offices of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), dress up in clothing from the era, and learn the history of the dynasty while playing 12 kinds of games which were popular during that period, such as pitch-pot and cuju (an ancient form of Chinese football).

Ancient Taiyuan county, which has been undergoing restoration work since 2013, still has more than 50 well-preserved temples, pavilions, ancestral shrines and streets which have maintained their original appearance.

Tourists dressed in ancient-style clothing attend the Ming Dynasty Fair, a fair highlighting the culture and traditions of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), as part of Taiyuan Ancient Town Lantern Carnival held in ancient Taiyuan county, Shanxi province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Tourists dressed in ancient Chinese clothing play games at the Ming Dynasty Fair. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]