Photo taken on February 3 shows villagers performing dragon dance in Yangjiang Town, Gaochun District, Nanjing. (Photo/CFP)

Traditional villages in Jiangsu proved popular destinations for rural tourism during the Spring Festival holiday, according to the provincial Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.

Following the Spring Festival's inscription as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in late 2024, about 1,500 villages of the province hosted more than 2,000 cultural events during the holiday, attracting approximately 4.98 million visitors.

These villages are renowned for their unique residential courtyards, folk arts, and local customs dating back to ancient times. For example, Xizhu Town in Yixing hosted spectacular iron fireworks shows, which involve splashing molten metal to create sparkling streaks of light. Drum performance in Taihua Town also added the festive atmosphere.

(Photo courtesy of the provincial Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of Jiangsu Province)

Jiangyan District in Taizhou, one the province's first protection areas for traditional village, also attracted an abundance of visitors during the festival.

People’s Park in Jiangyan was decorated with dazzling lanterns, creating a strong festive ambiance. The fire-crossing tradition in Xinhuayuan Village, Daiyao Town, symbolizes warding off evil and wishing for a prosperous new year. Jiangzhuang Village in Chenbao Town also drew many visitors eager to experience the lively atmosphere of its traditional temple fair.