The streets of Qingdao in East China's Shandong province are filled a festive atmosphere as locals have been preparing to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival. [Photo/Qingdao News]

The 2024 Qingdao Spring Festival Rural Cultural Tourism Festival kicked off in the ancient town of Jimo, Qingdao on Jan 18, and will last for nearly two months until March 11.

During the festival, more than 800 distinctive cultural and tourism activities tailored for the general public and tourists will be held. All these activities are expected to showcase the new look of rural areas, invigorate the urban and rural cultural tourism market, and enrich the spiritual and cultural life of the people.

Qingdao will organize a series of urban and rural cultural tourism activities and invite friends from all over to Qingdao to experience the festive atmosphere and folk customs, and celebrate the Spring Festival. This series of culturally rich and diverse tourism activities and products will offer a worthwhile cultural and tourism experience for people from all over the country.

The opening ceremony of the festival featured a variety of activities, including traditional folk performances, the Yellow River Grand Market, intangible cultural heritage displays, calligraphy exhibitions, and more.

During this year's Spring Festival, the city's cultural and tourism system will mobilize the masses to participate in traditional cultural activities such as yangko dancing, puppet shows, lion and dragon dances, and traditional opera performances to enhance the traditional festive atmosphere in both urban and rural areas.