A vendor in traditional clothing offers some products to a child. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

Hangzhou – capital of East China's Zhejiang province – is kicking off the Chinese New Year in style with over 150 cultural and tourism activities, including concerts by Ed Sheeran, OneRepublic and Jacky Cheung.

The Song Blessings in Hangzhou Year – a variety of celebrations drawing inspirations from the Song Dynasty (960-1279) culture – promises unforgettable experiences with heritage fairs, temple festivals and interactive installations across the city.

Highlights include traditional performances, blessings at temples and live renditions of The Butterfly Lovers and Romeo and Juliet – a blend of Chinese and Italian love stories – at the West Lake.

Winter sports enthusiasts can enjoy skiing at the Daming Mountain and Shengxianli ski resorts or ice skating at top venues like the MixC Mall. In 2024, Hangzhou's sporting events attracted 500,000 spectators and boosted local spending by over 10 billion yuan ($1.36 billion).

With vibrant celebrations, star-studded concerts and thrilling activities, Hangzhou is ready and set to ensure a great festive start to the Year of the Snake.

The Shengxianli Ski Resort in Tonglu county, Hangzhou is a top tourist destination in winter. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]