A variety of folk culture activities added to the festive New Year atmosphere in Zhanjiang, the coastal city in South China's Guangdong province.

Observers know that, Zhanjiang's Spring Festival is more than a grand feast, as the "Nianli" folk customs in local villages make the Spring Festival more lively and exciting.

"Nianli" means traditional folk performance staged during the Spring Festival annually.

A folk culture parade kicked off this year too in the town of Qishui, Leizhou city on Feb 20. The parading team walked along streets and lanes and gave performances such as lion and dragon dances, which attracted a large number of viewers.

Such activities are vibrant around Zhanjiang. Donghai's Renlong dance, which literally means the dance of people and dragon, is the most famous folk dance in Leizhou Peninsula; Suixi is well-known for its southern-style lion dance; Lianjiang is notable for its Wuyingxiong, a dance integrates elements of martial arts, and simulated the movements of an eagle and a mystical animal with a dragon head and phoenix tail.

The performance of such folk culture is a highlight during the Spring Festival celebrations and is much loved by local residents.

Feng Meng, the 36th headman of Qishui Folk Culture Parade says, "We organize such folk-custom performance parade every year across the town. Not only does it retain the originality of folk beliefs in western Guangdong, but also enrich the cultural life of locals."

Tiaoshun village's high-pile lion dance attracts many viewers, Zhanjiang. [Photo / Zhanjiang Daily]

Dragon dance during the Nianli folk performance in Tiaoshun village, Chikan district, Zhanjiang. [Photo / Zhanjiang Daily]