Temple fairs spread New Year fun in Changsha

Temple fairs are underway right now in Changsha, fueling the joyful atmosphere surrounding the nearing Chinese New Year.

Part of the traditions, New Year temple fairs are held at Huogongdian, a renowned dining and entertainment district of Changsha, capital of Hunan province.

The fairs run from Little New Year (Chinese: Xiaonian), usually a week before the Lunar New Year to the Lantern Festival, the 15th day of the first lunar month. This year's temple fairs began on Jan 21 and have attracted large crowds drawn in to watch opera performances, magic shows, singing, and dancing. All this accompanied of course, by Changsha's eponymous snack foods, such as stinky tofu and sisters' rice balls.