Liaocheng's rural cultural tourism festival, an ongoing celebration leading up to the Lunar New Year, officially kicked off on Jan 19 in the city's Guanxian county.

Themed on "New Year gatherings at villages," this event stands as a cornerstone, hosting a series of celebratory activities that primarily spotlight rural areas, aiming to enhance local cultural and tourism development, just as the festival's name suggests.

Districts and various counties are holding related activities, spanning from Spring Festival markets, intangible cultural heritage (ICH) item displays and experiences, to traditional opera performances, which have attracted attention from both locals and tourists.

Villagers from Fenghuangji village in Liaocheng city are showcasing the unique features of their local banquet, generously sharing the flavors and traditions with others. [Photo by Cao Jiayue/chinadaily.com.cn]

At the city's Daokoupu subdistrict, sprawling Spring Festival couplets, stretching several meters long, are inscribed to extend invitations to villagers and calligraphy enthusiasts. This wide participation aims to gather heartfelt wishes for the Lunar New Year.

Finished couplets are waiting to be collected. [Photo by Cao Jiayue/chinadaily.com.cn]

In Guanxian county, local products take center stage as enterprises seize the opportunity to engage locals in firsthand experiences with their offerings, from noodles to sugar.

A group of primary students are trying to make Chinese knots, symbolizing wishes for good fortune and prosperity. [Photo by Cao Jiayue/chinadaily.com.cn]

The rural cultural tourism festival, featuring folk cultural displays and experiences, is divided into three phases, spanning over 50 days until March 11, the 2nd day in the second month in the lunar calendar which is as a day to send people hope that the year is going well.