As Chinese New Year approaches, Shanghai's Huangpu district has introduced innovative cultural and creative products, bringing warmth and surprises to residents and visitors alike.

Yuyuan Garden Malls

◎Creative lanterns

Price: 68 yuan ($9.34) each

The hit lantern designs of the Yuyuan Garden return this year with two new styles: Mystical Snake Realm and Blessings & Wealth. The Mystical Snake Realm lantern, inspired by the garden's central plaza light installation, features a snake coiled above a colorful lotus, adorned with butterfly motifs from the concept of Taoist master Zhuang Zhou's butterfly dream, symbolizing continuous good fortune. The Blessings & Wealth lantern combines the imagery of the God of Wealth, coins, and snake, embodying traditional Chinese wishes for happiness, health, and prosperity.

◎Refrigerator magnets

Price: 58 yuan each

Lantern designs from the festival transform into exquisite refrigerator magnets. Highlights include the deer-shaped Lushu, symbolizing vitality and prosperity, and Chenghuang, a mythical creature representing longevity and serenity as it harmonizes with the cycles of nature.

Shanghai Museum

◎Year of the Snake convertible neck pillow

Price: 128 yuan each

The design of the Year of the Snake neck pillow draws inspiration from traditional dot-cut paper art from Weixian county, Hebei province. Combining this traditional art form with modern functionality, the product features a gray-pink snake motif and doubles as both pillow and plush toy — ideal for travel, work, and relaxation.

◎Commemorative transport card set

Price: 100 yuan for 2 cards

Inspired by the snake-shaped design on the ancient bronze ritual vessel from the Western Zhou Dynasty (c. 11th century-771 BC), this transport card set combines historical elements with the Chinese Zodiac. It features a baby snake adorned with a snake-patterned lion-head hat and represents good fortune and prosperity. Each set includes two cards, valid across 300 cities nationwide, with recharge options at metro stations. Bonus gifts are available with purchase.

The Memorial of the First CPC National Congress

◎Hand cream

Price: 28 yuan per tube

The memorial has partnered with the local traditional Chinese medicine hospital to launch a nourishing hand cream featuring a VE derivative plus glycerin formula to combat winter dryness. This product blends Red cultural elements with traditional Chinese medicine, marking a significant innovation in the health and wellness sector for the memorial's creative merchandise.

Shanghai Juss

◎Diffuser stone gift box

Price: 168 yuan per set

To celebrate the New Year, Shanghai Juss has introduced this festive gift set containing nine adorable ceramic persimmons packaged in a miniature bamboo steamer. The set includes nine persimmon diffuser stones, a bottle of essential oil, emoji stickers, and a gift bag. Symbolizing lasting peace and prosperity, it is the perfect way to share New Year blessings.

Shanghai Concert Hall

◎Scented candle

Price: 168 yuan each

Winner of the 2024 Gold List Souvenir Award, this green-edition candle tells nearly a century of stories in music history. With a refreshing pear blossom scent, it opens with melon pear and bergamot notes, transitions to freesia and rose, and finishes with musk, patchouli, and amber.

◎Refrigerator magnets

Price: 20 yuan each

The Shanghai Concert Hall's mascot is now available as a refrigerator magnet carrying a Spring Festival red envelope. Choose between the "wealth (财)" and "fortune (发)" editions to bring prosperity into the year ahead.

◎New Year mid-calf socks

Price: 68 yuan per box (3 pairs)

Cozy up for the New Year with these warm and cheerful socks featuring the smiling mascot and the Shanghai Concert Hall's iconic arched architecture.

Source: Huangpu District Administration of Culture and Tourism