China Festival Winter

1. Four Major Summon Ceremories at the Ta'er Lamasery

Dates: The 14th and 15th of the first lunar month, the 14th and 15th of the fourth lunar month, the seventh and eighth of the sixth lunar month and the 22nd and 23rd of the ninth lunar month

Place: Huangzhong County, Qinghai Province

Activities: Large butter sculpture shows of Tibeten, Tu and Mongolian ethnic groups, sunning a huge picture of the Buddha and other Buddhist activities

On the 14th and 15th days of the first lunar month, sorcerers'dances will be performed and a large-scale exhibition of butter sculpture is held.

On the 15th of the fourth lunar month, people perform the sorcerers' dance and display a huge picture of the Buddha under the sun.

From the seventh to the eighth of the sixth lunar month, sorcerers' dances are performed and a huge picture of the Buddha is sunned and Buddhist scriptures are recited.

On the 22nd and 23rd of the ninth lunar month, people pay homage to the Great Buddha and perform the Hayagriva( Horse Head God) Dance and commemorate the passing of Master Zongkapa.

2. Harbin Ice and Snow Festival

Dates: January 5-February 5

Place: Harbin, Heilongjiang Province

Activities: In addition to the famous local and international ice lantern and snow sculpture exhibitions and contests, winter swimming, ice hockey and alpine and cross-country skiing contests are held. A film festival and painting, calligraphy and photo exhibitions are held. Moreover, there are performances of folk songs and dances and wedding ceremonies are held on ice. Trade fairs are also organized.

3. Activities of Striking Bells to Greet the New Year in Jingci Temple, Hangzhou

Dates: January 1

Place: Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province

Activities: When the New Year arrives, the bells are struck and local residents perform dragon and lion dances. Visitors may board luxurious painted boats decorated with colorful lanterns to tour the West Lake and enjoy beautiful music and scene.

4. Buddhist Summon Ceremonies at the Labrang Monastery, Xiahe

Dates: From the 4th to the 17th of the first lunar month and from the 29th of the sixth lunar month to the 15th day of the seventh lunar month

Place: Labrang Monastery, Xiahe, Gansu Province

Activities: The Labrang Monastery in Xiahe is one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism and is the largest college of lamaism in the world. Every year seven large Buddhist summon ceremonies are held here.

During the ceremonies, various Buddhist activities such as sunning the picture of the Buddha, performing sorcerers'dances, chanting scriptures, praying, exams for monks, debates on scriptures and the month-long Tibetan Travel Festival are held.

5. Jilin Rime Festival

Dates: The second 10-day period in January

Place: Jilin, Jilin Province

Activities: A grand ice and colorful lantern show, ice and snow games, releasing lanterns on the river, setting off fireworks and a parade of colorful boats are held. Local people will perform the northeastern Yangge dance. The folk festivals of the Manchu and Korean people are also celebrated. Exhibitions of delicious northeastern cuisine and trade fairs are also organized.

6. Beijing Longqing Gorge Ice and Snow Festival

Dates: January 15-February 29

Place: Longqing Gorge in Yanqing County, Beijing

Activities: Displays of ice lanterns, fireworks on ice, recreational performances, fishing and other ice sports are arranged. Tourists may participate in the ice and snow revelry festival and visit the Great Wall at Badaling and the Kangxi grasslands.

7. Spring Festival Flower Fair

Dates: The 28th to the 30th of the 12th lunar month

Place: Guangzhou, Guangdong Province

Activities: The Spring Flower Fair is held during the Spring Festival (the lst day of the lst Chinese lunar month), and is a traditional cultural activity unique to Guangzhou citizens.

During the fair, flower farmers deliver huge numbers of fresh flowers to Guangzhou and set up flower show along the city's major streets. People, old and young alike, visit the show to appreciate and purchase the blossoms.

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