Sea of People: China's Spring Festival Crowds Reach Fever Pitch

As the Spring Festival celebrations sweep across China, popular tourist destinations such as Nanjing's Fuzi Temple, Luoyang's Longmen Grottoes, Zhoushan's Putuo Mountain, and Sanya's Nanshan Temple are once again witnessing massive crowds. On Chinese social media, hashtags such as "#人人人人人你人人人人人#" (meaning "tons of people amongst you"), has become a hallmark of the festival season, as a way to emphasize the size of the crowds.

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2 February 2025

The character "人" (rén), meaning people, is humorously repeated multiple times as "人人人..." (rén rén rén) to emphasize the size of the crowds surrounding you (你 nǐ).

Meanwhile, traditional festivities such as the "dance of fire dragons" in Meizhou, Guangdong Province, continue to draw large crowds. This unique cultural heritage, which involves performers dancing with fire-breathing dragons, has been recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage project. Every year, villagers in Meizhou gather to perform the dance, praying for good fortune, prosperity, and peace. The tradition, which dates back over 280 years, features a series of performances, including the burning of incense, smoke bombs, and the dance of the fire dragon itself.

中国国家地理
Sun Feb 02 12:00:00 +0800 2025
#大美中国年#舞火龙,祈愿新年好运来!龙舞,不少见;舞火龙,少见。赤膊上阵的舞火龙,甚少见。而这难得一见的舞火龙场景在梅州几乎每年春节都会上演。埔寨火龙是梅州市丰顺县埔寨镇村民闹元宵的独特传统节目,并入选国家级非物质文化遗产代表性项目名录。@活力广东每年元宵之夜,埔寨镇村民会在埔寨的龙身(地名)举行火龙表演活动,祈求风调雨顺、年年丰收,祥和吉利、岁岁平安。据《丰顺县志》记载,早在清乾隆六年(公元1741年),埔寨镇就有火龙表演的习俗,传承至今已有280多年历史。“埔寨火龙”表演一般由燃放禹门、烧烟架、舞火龙三个部分组成。火龙在火海烟雾中翻腾飞舞,不时表演着张嘴、吐珠、躬身、摇尾、喷火等动作。当地人认为,“舞龙的火花能烧出好年景、好运来!”#带着微博去旅行##人人人人人你人人人人人#图源:广东省文化和旅游厅Post picture
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As the Spring Festival celebrations continue, it is clear that the allure of crowded tourist destinations and traditional festivities remains strong. Whether it's the thrill of the crowds or the joy of participating in age-old traditions, the "#人人人人人你人人人人人#" phenomenon is a testament to the enduring appeal of the Spring Festival season.

As the Lunar New Year celebrations reach their peak, popular tourist destinations across China are experiencing a surge in visitors. Places like Nanjing's Fuzi Temple, Luoyang's Longmen Grottoes, Zhoushan's Putuo Mountain, and Sanya's Nanshan Temple are all crowded with people eager to usher in the new year. On social media, netizens are joking about the crowds, saying "year after year, we squeeze and we go, this is our obsession."

Meanwhile, in other parts of the country, unique cultural traditions are on full display. In Meizhou, Guangdong Province, the "Pu Jai Fire Dragon" dance is a highlight of the Lantern Festival celebrations. This ancient tradition, which dates back over 280 years, features a dragon dance performance accompanied by fire and smoke, with the dragon breathing fire and performing acrobatic stunts. Locals believe that the sparks from the fire dragon can bring good luck and a prosperous new year.

新华社
Sun Feb 02 14:23:22 +0800 2025
【#多地春节现人人人人人场面#】新春佳节,全国多地景区、商圈出现#人人人人人你人人人人人#场面,戳图转发↓感受浓郁的年味。你这个假期出去玩了吗?#春节假期还剩不到3天#Post picture
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The crowds are not limited to urban areas, as netizens are also sharing photos and videos of long lines and crowded roads in rural areas. As one user joked, "it's not uncommon to see crowds in the city, but have you seen long lines in the mountains?" The scenery may be beautiful, but the sheer number of people is a testament to the popularity of these destinations during the holiday season. As another user noted, "thanks to the large crowds, whether it's local scenic spots or those farther away, going out is all about seeing people."

As the Lunar New Year celebrations unfold across China, a unique and captivating traditional performance has been making waves in the city of Meizhou. The "Pui Chai Fire Dragon Dance," a national-level intangible cultural heritage, has been a staple of the local festivities for over 280 years. This ancient tradition, dating back to 1741, is an integral part of the community's cultural identity and a testament to the region's rich heritage.

The Pui Chai Fire Dragon Dance is a spectacular display of athleticism, artistry, and devotion, as performers clad in traditional attire dance with fire-breathing dragons, praying for a prosperous and peaceful new year. The performance typically consists of three segments: the ignition of the "Yu Men" (a ceremonial gate), the burning of incense, and the majestic fire dragon dance. As the dragons weave and twirl amidst the fiery blaze, they appear to come alive, spewing fire and sparks, symbolizing the community's wishes for good fortune and blessings.

海那个角
Sun Feb 02 16:15:43 +0800 2025
南京夫子庙、洛阳龙门石窟、舟山普陀山、三亚南山寺等各地景区都再现了#人人人人人你人人人人人#场面。网友:年年挤年年去,这就是执念。海那个角的微博视频
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This cherished tradition has been recognized as a national-level intangible cultural heritage, acknowledging its significance and value to China's cultural landscape. As the country celebrates the Lunar New Year, the Pui Chai Fire Dragon Dance serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of preserving cultural heritage and the power of tradition to bring communities together. Amidst the jubilant crowds and festive atmosphere, this ancient performance continues to captivate audiences, inspiring a sense of wonder and awe that transcends generations.

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