Cradle of civilization: Langzhong, the birthplace of Spring Festival culture

(ECNS)--The UNESCO has added the Chinese Spring Festival to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, underscoring its global significance as a vibrant celebration and treasured cultural tradition.

Langzhong, an ancient city in Sichuan Province with a history of over 2,300 years, has gained renewed attention as the "Hometown of Chinese Spring Festival Culture."

It is said to be the hometown of the Western Han Dynasty (202-25 BC) astronomer Luo Xiahong, who set the first month of spring as the beginning of the year in his Tai Chu calendar. This practice was continued in successive dynasties, cementing the custom of celebrating the Spring Festival. 

The Langzhong ancient city, now covering an area of around 2 square kilometers, is home to over 100 well-preserved residential buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), as well as dozens of ancient alleyways and streets.

In recent years, Langzhong has introduced live cultural performances to enrich tourists' night tour experiences and promote its cultural tourism.

Today, the Spring Festival is a public holiday in nearly 20 countries and celebrated in various ways by about one-fifth of the world’s population. Last year, the 78th UN General Assembly decided to list the Lunar New Year as a UN floating holiday.

The Spring Festival of the Year of the Snake is coming in about six weeks. Langzhong warmly invites visitors from all around the world to come and experience the rich and wonderful Spring Festival culture.