Suzhou has adorned its nine ancient city gates with large-size Spring Festival couplets after a launch ceremony held at the Xiangmen Gate scenic area on January 18.

The couplets were written by nine famous calligraphers and the nine pairs of poetry lines they wrote were selected from more than 10,000 entries submitted from home and abroad.

(Photo/Chen Yueqin)

Hanging couplets on the door is a traditional way for Chinese to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Suzhou has held the event for six years in a row.

The launch ceremony also showcased the writing of couplets, which were offered as gifts to residents and tourists.