A traditional carnival opened at Mission Hills Mall in Longhua District last week to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year — the Year of the Rat. Entry is free.
It includes an exhibition featuring Chinese paintings and calligraphic works, a display of lanterns and paper umbrellas, Han Dynasty-style garment shows and performances featuring traditional Chinese cultural elements.
The term “hanfu” was created by Internet users to describe the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-220 A.D.) people’s clothing. It also refers to the historical dress of the Han people for all of history before the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
A kind of Hanfu. File photo
Nowadays designers have added more fashionable elements to the traditional outfits, and “hanfu” has become a new fashion among many young people in China.
Visitors can learn to write Spring Festival couplets at the carnival. Traditionally, Chinese households post Spring Festival couplets written on red paper to their doors on the eve of the Lunar New Year to promote happiness and prosperity.
A food market is providing traditional Chinese snacks like ice-sugar gourds, cotton candy and other delicacies for many people to bring back memories from their childhood.
Traditional Chinese art forms and intangible culture heritage crafts like handmade wood items, embroideries and leather products made by artists are displayed and on sale there.
Visitors can also take part in entertaining activities like playing cuju or pitch-pot. Cuju, an ancient Chinese game, is considered the earliest form of soccer. The game of pitch-pot (“touhu” in Chinese) involves throwing arrows, rods or darts into a receptacle.
Dates: Until Feb. 9
Venue: Mission Hills Mall, Longhua District (龙华区观澜湖新城)
Metro: Line 4 to Qinghu Station (清湖站), Exit A and then take a taxi
