The Spring Festival is the most significant traditional holiday for Chinese people. This year witnessed its debut under the new designation on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. During this Spring Festival holiday, foreign tourists have flocked to Zhangjiajie for a warm and joyous experience of the Chinese New Year.

A hustle-and-bustle scene was seen at the Tianmen Mountain Cableway Lower Station on February 3. In addition to flocks of domestic tourists, there were a number of foreign visitors coming from around the world.

German tourist Vladi embarked on a Tianmen Mountain tour together with two friends. Vladi is fond of Chinese culture and he specially came to Zhangjiajie for an immersion experience in the traditional Chinese Spring Festival. "It is worlds apart from Germany! Red decorations are seen everywhere, and I've been swept up in the strong festive atmosphere. Before coming here, we toured Beijing and had a taste of delicious jiaozi. The Spring Festival is so fascinating," he said excitedly.

Vietnamese traveler Nguyen and his friends savored authentic Chinese delicacies at a hot-pot restaurant. "I've long heard that the Chinese Spring Festival is vibrant. This Zhangjiajie tour during the Spring Festival is really eye-opening for us. The warm atmosphere is similar to the Vietnamese Spring Festival. However, we are amazed by China's culinary diversity. Each dish has specific symbolic meanings. What we are eating is not just food, but culture," Nguyen said, adding that "When possible, I'd love to go to local homes to have an immersive experience of the local festive traditions."

South Korean traveler Mr. Beak and his family also enjoyed themselves in this restaurant. He shared dishes with his family and sighed, "I've been to Zhangjiajie 12 years ago when the beautiful landscapes impressed me deeply. However, the visit this time gives me whole new feelings. The festive atmosphere here is so infectious. All the streets and lanes are decorated with lanterns and lights, and the place is full of joy."

A family from Malaysia tried their hand at making ciba, a kind of round-shaped glutinous rice cake, in Yinjiaxi Town, Yongding District in Zhangjiajie. They skillfully pounded steamed glutinous rice with wooden mallets, winning applause from the audience. "I am fascinated by Chinese folk customs. Each folk custom for the Spring Festival has a profound cultural connotation, including making ciba," said a member of the family. Before coming to Zhangjiajie, he had done extensive research and learned that ciba in some regions of China serves as an essential festive food during the Spring Festival, symbolizing family reunion and sweet harmony.

"It is the most special food that I've tasted. It is not just a flavor, but a memory of culture," he smiled, adding that, "Every bite of ciba carries the essence of the Chinese New Year. I will bring these wonderful flavors and memories back to Malaysia."

Today, the Spring Festival has evolved beyond a festival solely for Chinese people. Its unique charm is captivating to people around the globe.

责编：冯宇轩

一审：冯宇轩

二审：唐煜斯

三审：秦慧英

来源：湖南省政府门户网