Children learn about the ingredients used to make Laba porridge in a kindergarten in Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province, January 6, 2025. (CFP)

Laba, which falls on January 7 this year, marks the official beginning of the Chinese New Year preparations.

Children learn to make Laba porridge in a kindergarten in Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province, January 6, 2025. (CFP)

Yongning Temple in Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province prepares 10,000 servings of Laba porridge for the public, January 6, 2025. The temple selected sixteen ingredients including red dates, lotus seeds, to make the porridge. (CFP)

Delivery workers enjoy Laba porridge, provided by volunteers, in Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province, January 6, 2025. (CFP)

Construction workers enjoy Laba porridge in Yan'an Road Community of Qingjiangpu District, Huai'an City, Jiangsu Province, January 5, 2025. (CFP)

International students from Jiangsu University participate in a Laba festival celebration in Zhenjiang City, January 5, 2025. (CFP)

This photo taken on January 6, 2025 shows children learning about the ingredients used to make Laba porridge in a kindergarten in Hai'an of Nantong City, Jiangsu Province. (CFP)

Primary students enjoy Laba porridge in Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province, January 6, 2025. (CFP)

Residents of a community in Lianyungang, Jiangsu write Spring Festival couplets during a celebration of the Laba Festival, January 4, 2025. (CFP)