Shanghai is set to host a diverse array of festive activities for residents and tourists during the upcoming Chinese New Year, including festive events, performances, exhibitions, intangible cultural heritage experiences, public cultural programs, and children's reading activities.

According to the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, the nine-day Spring Festival holiday from Feb 16-23 will feature 2,570 themed cultural and tourism activities and a record 1,369 theatrical performances across the city.

The performances will range from large-scale concerts and traditional Shanghai-style shows to children's theater and international productions such as London's West End musicals.

In addition, 60 scenic attractions will offer half-price admission during the holiday.

Museums and art galleries will present special exhibitions and art shows, including displays of artworks from the Louvre Museum and masterpieces by Picasso.

Museums in the city will stage nearly 50 special exhibitions, while nearly 60 art galleries will present more than 100 exhibitions.

Some venues will extend their opening hours into the evening.

The program also includes culture-and-tourism experiences that blend sightseeing with themed activities.

Shanghai's travel guidance platform Hu Xiaoyou has curated a selection of 353 events, ranging from 54 science exhibitions and four industrial tourism experiences to seven river cruises.

For sports enthusiasts, a key highlight will be the New Year tennis tournament at Shanghai Gymnasium, scheduled from the second to the fifth day of the Chinese New Year and featuring veteran tennis players, social media personalities and crossover celebrities.

From mid-January through the Lantern Festival on March 3, a series of traditional intangible cultural heritage events will offer immersive experiences in culinary activities, lantern festivals, calligraphy and riddle events, and traditional craftsmanship workshops.

In addition to half-price admission, popular tourist attractions across the city will offer special discounts for visitors born in the Year of the Horse, and promotional packages for visitors of all ages.

Major travel companies are also participating. China Eastern Airlines has launched "Family Reunion" travel cards, priced at 999 yuan ($143.2) for round-trip domestic flights and 559 yuan for one-way flights.

Source: Jiefang Daily