China News Service, Kunshan, February 10 (Reporter Zhong Sheng) On February 10, the first day of the Lunar New Year, Zhouzhuang, Kunshan ushered in rare good weather. Tourists from all over the country gather in this "China's No. 1 Water Town" to experience the New Year in the south of the Yangtze River in the charm of the water town.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, people took a group photo to "check in" in front of the ancient archway in Zhouzhuang. Photo by China News Service reporter Zhong Sheng
Three poles high in the sun, the ancient town is decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, gongs and drums are noisy, and dragons and lions are dancing all around. Zhouzhuang's "Zhuang Owner Shen Wansan" slowly appeared on the stage surrounded by a mighty Spring Festival procession, followed by four "housekeepers" carrying a golden "Spring Ox". The annual New Year "Spring Cow" sacrifice and prayer event has officially begun.
It is a traditional custom in the ancient town of Zhouzhuang to beat the spring ox on the first day of the Lunar New Year and welcome the God of Wealth on the fifth day of the lunar new year. "Shen Wansan" held a colorful whip in his hand and shouted loudly: "One dozen has good weather and good weather, two dozen has good soil and fertile land, three dozen has three suns to bring prosperity, four has four seasons of peace, five has a good harvest, six has six springs, seven has seven stars are high. According to it, eight times will bring peace to the whole country, nine times and nine times will return to one, and ten times will bring peace to the world." Every time he said a word, he would "beat" the spring ox.
People rush to touch the Spring Ox to pray for good luck in the year. Photo by China News Service reporter Zhong Sheng
"If you touch the spring ox's head once, you will be blessed with good fortune; if you touch the waist of the spring ox with the second time, you will receive money; if you touch the tail of the spring ox with the third time, you will be blessed with good fortune and longevity." At the end of the ceremony, tourists flocked to the spring ox, stroking it with their hands and praying for the dragon. In this year, the "ox" is so strong and the dragon is moving.
The fleet carrying "Shen Wansan" and the "God of Wealth" sailed through Zhouzhuang's water wealth channel. Photo by China News Service reporter Zhong Sheng
"Shen Wansan" led the "Gods of Wealth" from Wen, Wu, Fu, Yi and Pian on a boat cruise in the river of the ancient town. People on both sides of the strait chased the boats to "ask for wealth". The "gods of wealth" stood on the bow of the boat, waving to the people and saluting from time to time to express New Year greetings. Lanterns were hung on the trees on both sides of the river, and the stone bridge was decorated with fiery red dragons, koi carps, etc., which were reflected in the sparkling water, as if they were alive and swimming in the river.
In the alleys along the street, families who have lived in Zhouzhuang for generations are preparing the first meal of the Year of the Dragon. A local specialty of Wansan Hoof means "lifting up" in the New Year, and the Jiangnan seabass gives "more than enough every year" The oral color also evokes the thoughts of returning tourists. Amidst the smoke, life in the ancient town, which has not changed for thousands of years, is still going on.
Tourists take cruise ships and shuttle through the rivers crisscrossing the south of the Yangtze River. Photo by China News Service reporter Zhong Sheng
With the recovery of tourism, many B&Bs have opened in the ancient town, attracting tourists from all over the world. Sleep on the river at night, get up listening to boat songs in the morning, and feel the slow life in Jiangnan. A waiter at a large local hotel said: "The booking of guest rooms this year is very hot, and the rooms during the Spring Festival are all booked." Mr. Liu from Yunnan took his family to Zhouzhuang to celebrate the New Year. He said: "We watched the fireworks show on New Year's Eve. Today, the whole family touched the Spring Ox and ate Wansan Hoof, feeling that they will have good luck throughout the year."
According to the staff at the Zhouzhuang Ancient Town Scenic Area, during the Spring Festival this year, Suzhou City launched the "Celebrate the 'Su' Year in Suzhou" Spring Festival cultural tourism benefit event. Tourists can visit the Zhouzhuang Ancient Town Scenic Area at half price, and tourists whose zodiac sign is Dragon can also visit it for free. , attracting tourists in various forms to taste the taste of Jiangnan New Year. (over)