Celebrations for Spring Festival in Shanghai

It is the time of the world's largest annual migration of people and the time when fireworks soar and explode in the night sky all over China. It is also the ideal time for Shanghai residents and visitors to explore some of the other sides of the city and its culture.

Traditions are a big part of life here and even if some traditions have been given a modern treatment with lasers and micro chips, ancient spirits remain firmly at their heart.

A few places and events are selected to help you welcome the Year of the Dragon with a difference.

Trips to temples

Hoping for a great 12 months ahead this is a time when many Chinese people visit Buddhist temples where the rituals of burning incense, chanting monks and the sound of bells create an atmosphere of joy and optimism.

Popular destinations for Shanghai devotees include the Longhua Temple, Jing'an Temple and the City God Temple of Shanghai.

But try looking further afield for in Shanghai's suburbs there are some great places to welcome the New Year, immerse yourself in Chinese culture or find quiet zones far from the city hustle.

The Fangta Pagoda in Songjiang

Over the coming days from January 23 to 29, this pagoda in Fangta Park will welcome the New Year with traditional ceremonies, bells and drums, written wishes and poetry.

This is a good way to see how traditions are kept alive and still attract families and young people.

The impressive pagoda was first built in the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). It has had a stormy history and in 1975 was rebuilt in its current square shape. It is a classical Buddhist pagoda, more than 42 meters high, in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) style and is one of the most admired pagodas in the Yangtze River Delta area.

Fangta Park spreads over 12 square kilometers and is well worth exploring for its natural beauty and views and its cultural treasures. On sunny days it is a good place for a picnic, flying a kite or strolling about enjoying fresh air.

Address: 1 Fangta Road South,

Songjiang district

Admission: 12 yuan ($1.90)

Call 5950-9874 for details

The Big Buddha Temple in Xinchang

Every Spring Festival the Big Buddha Temple offers special prayer sessions called "fo fu tong yuan" ("May Buddha bless you with good fortune.") Here visitors can light Kongming Lanterns (airborne paper lanterns) to pray for fortune during the New Year and pay respects in the Mahavira Hall.

The Big Buddha Temple can be found in the southwestern part of Xinchang county, Zhejiang Province near Shicheng Hill. It is one of the treasures of Chinese Buddhism.

Its centerpiece is the Xinchang Maitreya Buddha which was carved out of a massive hunk of granite 1,600 years ago and, is regarded as a match for the Leshan Giant Buddha in Sichuan Province. A full 15 meters high, the Xinchang Buddha is a masterwork of Chinese religious art and is regarded as "the largest Buddha south of the Yangtze river."

While there don't miss the Thousand Buddha Court nearby which showcases over 1,000 statues of Buddha, elegantly arranged.

Address: 117 Renmin Road West, Xinchang county, Shaoxing city, Zhejiang Province

Admission: 100 yuan per person

Call 0575-8622-7141 for details

Life in the old style

The second New Year Royal Temple Fair 2012 will be staged at the Shanghai Grand View Garden over the first six days of the Chinese Lunar New Year.

The Shanghai Grand View Garden replicates the setting of Daguanyuan, the home of the imperial family at the heart of the great Chinese saga A Dream of Red Mansions written by Cao Xueqin in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). This is where the 1987 television adaptation was filmed.

During the fair visitors will be able to watch and sometimes join in as scenes from the book are brought to life.

Visitors will walk past teams of stern imperial bodyguards at the entrance and as they stroll around the gardens they might encounter the "Emperor" himself surrounded by guards and administering his blessings. Or they might meet the beautiful Yuanchun, the eldest daughter of the book's family and the emperor's concubine, being borne regally on a sedan chair accompanied by beautifully clothed eunuchs and maids. Selections from great operas will be staged at the Grand View Hall.

Address: 701 Qingshang Road, Qingpu district

Admission: 60 yuan

Call 5926-2831 for details