As revellers across China set off fireworks to welcome in the Lunar New Year, Yandunjiao Village in the eastern peninsula of Shandong is strangely quiet.
Yandunjiao, home to thousands of wild swans every winter, banned fireworks year round a decade ago so as not to scare off the birds, a big draw for tourists.
The swans come from late October to spend the winter in Yandunjiao bay, which has amiable weather and abundant fish and seaweed.
Tourists are Yandunjiao's lifeblood. Chasing photos of the swans, they stay in the village's dozens of guesthouses and spend money in local shops and restaurants.
Chinese set off fireworks not just on Lunar New Year's Eve itself but throughout the week-long Spring Festival holiday. It is traditionally believed that the loud bangs scare off evil spirits, as well as fuelling a festive atmosphere.
But people in Yandunjiao claim not to miss the tradition.
"We don't regret giving up the folk custom of setting off holiday fireworks. We're grateful to the swans. We protect them and they have rewarded us with good fortune," said Gao Yongjin, owner of the biggest guesthouse in the village.
Winter tourism earns him 400,000 to 500,000 yuan (60,000-76,000 U.S. dollars) every year.
Gao's guesthouse is decorated with photos of the swans, many taken by guests.
"The swans here are not afraid of people. Photographers can approach them to get good pictures," said 81-year villager Qu Yuanzheng.
He recalled that the birds used to be sensitive to strangers. "They clapped their wings if people walked closer than 100 meters from them."
Locals have long protected the birds, according to Qu. They have provided food for them when food was scarce. They have rescued injured swans and kept tourists from harassing the birds.
Qu Rongjiang's guesthouse was his family's residence for 100 years. It was refurbished and transformed three years ago. From his yard, people can hear the swans. His wife prepares dishes cooked with seaweed.
Sun Ji, a tourist from east China's Nanjing who stayed at Qu's guesthouse said he was impressed by local ethics.
Shandong was the birthplace of Confucius. Sun said the village honors Confucianism, with its emphasis on morality.
"It's touching that these people treat swans like their family," he said.
