Chongqing - On the second day of the Spring Festival holiday, Ciqikou Ancient Town in Shapingba District was bustling with visitors, including dozens of tourists from Malaysia and Vietnam eager to experience an authentic Chinese New Year.
Malaysian tourists celebrate the Spring Festival at Ciqikou Ancient Town in Chongqing Shapingba District. (Photo/Shapingba District)
A group of 22 Malaysian and 20 Vietnamese travelers explored the historic town, sampling local delicacies and immersing themselves in the festive atmosphere of the mountain city. Red lanterns lined the streets, traditional snacks filled the air with steam and spice, and the centuries-old architecture provided a vivid backdrop to the celebrations.
“For many Chinese Malaysians, we celebrate the Chinese New Year at home. But this is my first time experiencing a traditional Spring Festival in China, and it’s truly impressive,” said a Malaysian visitor Guobin. Guobin also noted that the festive mood in Chongqing was especially vibrant, with lanterns decorating streets and alleys across the city.
Inside a cultural and creative store, Guobin and friends browsed a colorful array of red envelopes. “In Malaysia, we also say ‘Gong Xi Fa Cai’ when we visit relatives during the New Year. But I didn’t expect to see how Chinese traditions blend with modern design,” Guobin said, referring to artful Year of the Horse-themed products. “The way traditional culture is presented through contemporary art resonates with young people and helps more of the world fall in love with Chinese culture.”
Vietnamese tourists celebrate the Spring Festival holiday at Ciqikou Ancient Town in Chongqing Shapingba District. (Photo/Shapingba District)
Vietnamese tourist Zheng Qingheng shared a similar sentiment. “China and Vietnam share many cultural similarities, but this is my first immersive experience of the Chinese New Year,” Zheng said. Strolling through Ciqikou’s old streets, Zheng sampled cured meats, freshly steamed rice cakes, fried dough twists and spicy hotpot snacks sizzling in oil. “You can feel the festival spirit through every bite.”
After checking off the historic quarter, Zheng planned to visit the more modern backstreet area to see themed light installations inspired by Chinese mythology and animated classics, hoping to capture what he described as a “romantic, dazzling” Spring Festival memory.
Ciqikou Ancient Town is a historic riverside district in Chongqing with roots dating back over 1,000 years to the Song Dynasty. Once a busy trading port known for porcelain during the Ming and Qing periods, it still features traditional architecture, stone-paved streets and teahouses, and is now one of the city’s most popular cultural attractions.
As Chongqing’s global tourism profile continues to rise, Ciqikou has become an increasingly popular stop for international visitors. Local authorities in Shapingba District are seizing the opportunity by upgrading tourism infrastructure, improving shopping environments, enhancing the internationalization of cultural venues and building service platforms tailored to overseas travelers, aiming to offer a richer and more accessible travel experience.