Exciting folk customs for the "Pingyao Chinese New Year"

With Spring Festival just around the corner, the Pingyao Chinese New Year will be arranging folk activities centered on traditional culture, the county tourism bureau says, with the administrators of the Pingyao's Old City working with the bureau to give visitors and locals an opportunity to celebrate Spring Festival together in a joyful atmosphere.

In commenting on the efforts, the head of the Tourism Bureau, Hou Shijun, explained that the 2015 Pingyao Chinese New Year celebration supports frugality and public benefit, with the goal being get organize tourism companies to come up with special activities that will appeal to visitors. There will be several his year that are different from previous events, including treasure hunts, riddle competitions and a special steamed bun competition and visitors can join folk custom celebrations as well as top-quality accommodations. The scenic spots will also have lucky draws for the first 60 visitors every day for prizes such as souvenirs from the Old Town.

Hou went on to say, "We hope the activities show a lot of the traditional folk customs and give visitors a new experience. The steamed bun competition is going to be a real feast, with local steamed bun masters taking part, and there will be an exhibition of different kinds of steamed bun by experts from other regions."

Tourism officials also say there will be many online activities such as sending wishes and spring couplets and pictures-posting competitions on Weibo and WeChat.