On New Year's Eve, Shanghai's Longhua Temple received tourists from near and far, who enjoyed such activities as literally ringing in 2024 by striking its big bell for blessings, watching lion dance performances and tasting traditional noodles.

A woman strikes the bell at Longhua Temple on New Year's Eve. [Photo/shobserver.com]

Longhua Pagoda hosts a light show. [Photo/shobserver.com]

The Longhua Pagoda light show was the highlight of the celebration, lending the ancient temple a unique charm. The celebration has attracted over 140 international tourists from Singapore, Malaysia, and other countries. As the new year’s first group of inbound tourists in Shanghai, they received a cordial welcome.

"We knew that Chinese Lunar New Year would be lively, but we didn't expect there to be such a ceremonial atmosphere on New Year’s Eve," said a visitor from Singapore. She said she enjoyed many surprises, such as watching intangible cultural heritage demonstrations at Longhua Square, seeing lion dance performances and eating traditional New Year's noodles at Longhua Temple.

"I also struck the bell to pray for blessings, wishing everyone good health," said a traveler from Malaysia. He said his impression of Shanghai on this first visit was "fashionable and cool".

Source: xinmin.cn