Hongkou District ushered in the 2025 Chinese New Year celebration with the spectacular opening of the Year of the Snake Lantern Festival and a series of cultural activities that highlight the district's vibrant mix of tradition and modernity.
The event, themed “Our Festival 2025: Enjoy the Chinese New Year in Hongkou”, kicked off with a grand lighting ceremony at the Sinar Mas Plaza, a renowned cultural landmark within the district's bustling North Bund area.
The Year of the Snake Lantern Festival stood as the centerpiece of Hongkou’s New Year celebrations, marking a unique fusion of traditional Chinese mythology with modern artistic flair.
The festival’s centerpiece was a series of lanterns inspired by ancient Chinese mythological serpents, including representations from the Shan Hai Jing (Classic of Mountains and Seas), which chronicles serpentine figures like the celestial snake, the long serpent, and the guardian serpent.
These intricate installations served as visual metaphors for renewal, luck, and protection, allowing both visitors and residents to immerse themselves in the captivating beauty of Chinese folklore.
Li Qian, the Party secretary of Hongkou, addressing the audience, emphasized the importance of sharing China’s rich cultural heritage with the world.
“The Spring Festival is a universal cultural symbol that transcends borders. This is a moment for the world to appreciate the depth of our traditions, and through this event, we aim to connect with global audiences,” said Li.
In addition to the lantern displays, the ceremony also featured the debut of Hongkou’s 2025 New Year mascot, Hongkou Qingqing, designed to embody the spirit of harmony, renewal, and prosperity.
A unique feature of this year’s festival was the involvement of foreign nationals in the cultural celebrations.
Among the international participants was a resident from Nigeria, who delighted the audience with a lively traditional Chinese folk performance, “Double Chant Tongue Twister,” expressing his admiration and love for Chinese culture.
The collaboration exemplifies Hongkou’s efforts to integrate diverse global cultures within its traditional celebrations.
Students from Shanghai International Studies University, representing countries such as the United States, Russia, and others, also joined in the festivities.
They were immersed in Chinese New Year customs, including traditional folk activities such as making and hanging spring couplets, writing wishes, and participating in the Year of the Snake cultural exhibits.
“This festival truly brings us closer to Chinese traditions, and it’s a real privilege to experience this in Shanghai,” a foreign student said.
The event underscored how China’s traditional culture, especially the Spring Festival, has been embraced and recognized globally. With the inclusion of the Spring Festival on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, more and more of China’s cultural treasures are becoming appreciated by people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
One of the highlights of the festival was the Year of the Snake Lantern display at the INLET, an area in Hongkou where the historic charm of old Shanghai mingles with the vibrancy of modern urban life.
The century-old alley, which now houses several cultural initiatives, was the perfect backdrop for the lantern display.
The event brought together mythologies from both Chinese and Western traditions, offering a fascinating cross-cultural experience that symbolized the global exchange of civilizations.
In addition to the lantern displays, the festival also showcased the Haipai Animation exhibit, celebrating China’s burgeoning animation industry with displays of iconic animated films such as The Rabbit’s Carrot Pulling Contest, The Little Fish Jumping Over the Dragon Gate, and The Story of the New Year’s Eve.
These classic animated works are not only staples of Chinese culture but also contribute to the rich tradition of storytelling that has long been a part of Shanghai’s artistic landscape.
Furthermore, the Spring Festival Garden offered attendees the chance to participate in traditional Chinese crafts such as creating lacquer lanterns and writing spring couplets. The site became a lively space for cultural exchange, drawing both Chinese citizens and foreign visitors eager to learn about the ancient customs that continue to shape modern Chinese society.
The festival’s interactive elements were a crowd favorite. Visitors were invited to participate in the creation of various festive items, from handmade crafts to traditional snacks.
In the bustling INLET area, people participated in a “snake-themed” treasure hunt, challenging themselves with puzzles and games inspired by Chinese mythological figures.
One of the most popular exhibits was the “Super Time Travel Adventure,” a unique immersive game where participants took on the role of “super animation fans,” solving clues and interacting with animated characters.
The experience combined history, drama, and mystery, providing a deeper understanding of China’s animation culture and the values of “truth, kindness, and beauty” that these films convey.
Notably, the Shanghai Animation and Art Film Exhibition in collaboration with the Shanghai Fine Arts Film Studio brought a contemporary edge to the festival by introducing high-tech immersive storytelling experiences that allowed visitors to engage with the animation’s scenes interactively.
With installations that took viewers through well-known animated films, the exhibit captivated attendees and brought new life to China’s celebrated animation classics.
Alongside the cultural activities, Hongkou organized a Must-Do List for the 2025 New Year season, providing a curated selection of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
The list, which featured over 200 events taking place from January to February, was designed to help both locals and international visitors navigate the multitude of offerings available throughout the district.
Visitors could explore the bustling The INLET, or visit popular shopping destinations like RUIHONG TIANDI, where festive goods and gifts could be found at various pop-up markets.
For food lovers, the “Must Eat” list highlighted traditional Spring Festival delicacies and new twists on classic dishes.
Popular restaurants offering festive menus, such as the Sofitel Hotel’s Year of the Snake Family Feast and W Hotel’s Dance of Spring event, were featured on the list, drawing attention to Shanghai’s culinary diversity during the holiday season.
As part of Hongkou’s commitment to promoting its cultural initiatives, the district also introduced the “Hongkou Selected” platform.
The initiative offers exclusive discounts and promotional activities at local businesses, encouraging both tourism and local commerce.
The district also announced the launch of its updated “Hongkou Select” column, a resource designed to connect businesses with residents by offering a range of exclusive products, discounts, and events, creating a new way for consumers to engage with their local community.
Hongkou's festival lineup promises to be an ongoing success, not only celebrating the Chinese New Year but also fostering cultural integration, economic development, and international cooperation.
As the district continues to enhance its position as a cultural hub, these annual events will play a key role in ensuring that Hongkou remains a dynamic, open, and welcoming destination for both locals and visitors.