As the Chinese Lunar New Year draws near, main streets in Guangzhou are adorned with national flags and strings of red lanterns. Shopping malls and parks have also put up festive installations themed on the zodiac sign of the rabbit in bright red color. The whole city brims with a joyous atmosphere and local people are busy making purchases for the most important festival of the year.

Yide Lu (一德路) in Guangzhou's Yuexiu district is one of the most popular places for locals to buy traditional new year decorations. Shops along the road are packed with couplets, lucky characters, Chinese knots, lanterns, red envelopes and toys, nearly all in eye-catching red color, which attract many people to stop by.

The resumption of flower markets this year, which are major celebration events for the Lunar New Year in the flower city, is expected to push up the festive vibe in the following days. Preparations for the flower markets are in full swing in every district of the city.

For example, the Xihu Lu Flower Market in Yuexiu district, which enjoys a history of more than 100 years and is hailed as the most iconic traditional flower market in Guangzhou, has recently unveiled its main archway designed for the Year of the Rabbit, and is ready to open to the public on January 19.

Liwan district combines historical attractions with flower markets this year. In addition to the floating flower market being held in the Lychee Bay Scenic Area, the main venue of the district's traditional flower market is relocated to outside the west gate of Cultural Park for the first time. Parallel flower markets will also be held at the Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street (上下九步行街) between January 19 and February 5, and in front of the Chen Clan Academy from January 18 to 21. Visitors will be able to get a deeper understanding of the city's folk customs and history, and experience the lively scenes during the Spring Festival in the olden days.

A series of cultural activities are scheduled to be launched in the city's tourist spots and shopping malls during the Spring Festival holiday, with a focus on intangible cultural heritages. Are you planning to spend the holiday in Guangzhou? Wish everyone a prosperous and happy Chinese New Year.