DIY New Year’s rice cake

Visitors can make New Year’s rice cakes by themselves at Shen’s House. Making and eating New Year’s rice cakes is also a traditional way to pray for luck in the New Year.

Burning incense on New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve in Zhouzhuang, like most regions of China, includes a family reunion dinner. Relatives will stay up late and set off fireworks. What’s more, the local people in Zhouzhuang will burn incense in Quanfu Temple after midnight. People write down their wishes on red silk ribbons and tie them in front of the temple to pray for peace and prosperity in the coming year.

Beating spring ox on the first day of Lunar New Year

In the beginning of the New Year, local people in Zhouzhuang will hold a traditional ritual of beating a spring ox to pray for the country’s prosperity and peace, as well as good weather for crops.

The festival of the god of wealth

The festival of the god of wealth falls on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, which is an important day after New Year’s Eve. Starting in the early morning on the day, every household will set off firecrackers. It is said that the first people to set off firecrackers will be lucky and invite the god of wealth into their home.

Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival is another highlight of Zhouzhuang’s New Year. During Lantern Festival, Zhouzhuang is not only decorated with lanterns, but also illuminated by fireworks and lanterns on boats shuttling across the river. Visitors can participate in a riddle contest with local people. The winner will be awarded a big prize, which is regarded as an auspicious sign during the start of the New Year.