Chongqing - As Chinese New Year celebrations unfold across southwest China, foreign visitors in Chongqing are joining in, making local delicacies, practicing calligraphy and watching centuries-old performances as they experience the holiday firsthand.
In districts such as Shapingba and Rongchang, streets are decorated with red lanterns and spring couplets, while the air is filled with laughter, music and the aroma of holiday treats. For many overseas guests, this year’s celebrations offered not just a cultural experience, but a deeper understanding of what the Spring Festival means to Chinese families.
In Chongqing’s Rongchang District, several foreigners rolled up their sleeves to learn how to make "mahua" — a crispy, twisted fried dough snack popular across Chongqing.
Under the guidance of local artisans, the visitors kneaded dough, twisted it into braided shapes. The process, simple yet skillful, drew bursts of laughter as first-time attempts emerged uneven or misshapen.
Elsewhere, a British couple carefully dipped their brushes into ink and practiced writing the Chinese character “ma” (horse), offering wishes for prosperity and good fortune in the Year of the Horse.
Calligraphy, an art form with thousands of years of history, remains an essential part of Spring Festival customs. Writing auspicious characters and pasting them on doors symbolizes the hope for a smooth and successful year ahead.
In another lively exchange, a local elder demonstrated the art of writing traditional Spring Festival couplets, his brushstrokes flowing with years of practiced elegance. Inspired by the display, a foreign participant picked up the brush and tried his hand at the same phrase. Though his characters lacked the effortless grace of the elder’s writing, the attempt drew warm smiles and encouraging applause.
Such moments of shared learning highlighted the joy of cultural exchange, where participation — not perfection — becomes the true celebration.
For many visitors, the highlight of their holiday experience was witnessing face-changing, a signature performance of Sichuan Opera that originated in the region.
Andre, a foreigner who has watched the performance multiple times, said the magic never fades.
“I’ve seen face-changing many times, and every time I’m amazed,” he said in an interview. “How do they do that? I want to learn this skill myself!”
Performed at close range, the rapid mask changes — executed in the blink of an eye — left him and other spectators both astonished and intrigued. Despite observing carefully, Andre admitted he was no closer to uncovering the secret behind the technique, which remains closely guarded by performers.
As night fell, foreign guests were captivated by another symbol of traditional Chinese romance: Kongming lanterns, also known as sky lanterns.
Rising gently into the dark sky, each glowing lantern carried handwritten wishes for health, happiness and prosperity. For some visitors, it was their first time witnessing — and participating in — the ritual.
“It’s such a magical thing,” one foreign participant said. “I highly recommend bringing children to try this. It’s really interesting.”
The moment, quiet yet profound, offered a shared sense of wonder that transcended language.
Across Chongqing's districts and counties, foreign visitors are not merely observing the Spring Festival — they are becoming part of it.
Through food, art, performance and tradition, they have experienced a holiday defined by reunion, joy and hope.
For many, the most memorable takeaway is not just the spectacle of red lanterns or dazzling performances, but the sincerity of the people who welcomed them into their celebrations — a reminder that the essence of the Chinese New Year lies in togetherness.