Xi'an kicks up its heels and celebrates in style

Xi'an, the capital of northwestern Shaanxi province, is sparing no effort to ring in the Chinese Lunar New Year - with a raft of activities showcasing the city's tourism attractions and latest achievements, further fostering its tourism industry.

The Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, is the most important and popular holiday in China. The festival has a long history and a wealth of customs and activities, most of which embody the essence of Chinese traditional culture and carry with them a variety of festive connotations.

However, officials report that more people complain that there's less and less Spring Festival atmosphere, especially in the urban areas. To deal with the trend, Xi'an is holding celebration activities in its downtown area for the second year in a row.