Spend Chinese New Year in Shanxi — join temple fairs, enjoy opera, and experience traditional parades for good luck

With less than a month to go before Lunar New Year, besides gathering around the family table, flying to an ancient Chinese capital to ring in the New Year offers a unique festive atmosphere. This year, travel packages to mainland China are much more affordable than in previous years, so take advantage of the ample flight availability and lower ticket prices to plan a trip across China.

In addition to classic routes like Shanghai, Beijing, Guilin, and Zhangjiajie, Taiyuan in Shanxi has become a particularly popular destination this Spring Festival season, thanks to its vibrant New Year celebrations and the movie “Empire of Silver,” which was invested in and produced by Terry Gou, chairman of Hon Hai. Shanxi, with its glorious history, was the capital of ancient emperors Yao, Shun, and Yu, making it a cradle of Chinese civilization. Even today, many traditional customs are still preserved, making it a great place to experience age-old festivities.

During the Lunar New Year period in Shanxi, you can see locals spontaneously forming traditional performance troupes that parade through the streets, creating a lively atmosphere. As the Shanxi saying goes, “For joy and cheer, join the fairs, opera, and festive fun.” The vibrant parades have become a staple folk celebration in the Jinzhong area during the Lunar New Year. Aside from fire-walking rituals believed to bring good luck, the streets are filled with the sounds of drums and gongs, dragon and lion dances. Especially in the ancient city of Pingyao and Qiao Family Compound — located in Qixian County, a hub of Shanxi merchant mansions — these are must-visit spots to soak up the festive spirit.

Chinese festivals emphasize tradition and heritage. To celebrate this, Yingjia International Travel Agency has specially designed an “8-Day Shanxi New Year Experience Tour,” featuring direct flights to Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi, with China Eastern Airlines. The tour covers famous attractions such as the ancient city of Pingyao, the Yungang Grottoes, and the Hanging Temple, all at a special price of 25,900 RMB (before tax). For those looking to experience the rich festive culture of Shanxi and seek good fortune for the Year of the Tiger in a joyous atmosphere, check out the Shanxi New Year Tour on the Yingjia International Travel Agency website.

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