With the Spring Festival approaching, over 40 residents have taken part in a traditional cultural activity held in Chongchuan district, Nantong, Jiangsu province on Jan 20.

"The key to making a good sugar painting is to keep your hand steady. Don't put your arm too high or low, and be sure to scatter the sugar evenly," said one skilled sugar painter.

Feng Zhutian, a second grade primary school student, painted a teapot and decided to send it to his grandfather as a lunar New Year gift.

Feng said that he usually receives gifts from his grandparents and this is the first time he has given them something in return.

Students learn to make sugar paintings under the guidance of a skilled sugar painter during a cultural activity held in Chongchuan district, Nantong on Jan 20. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

Participants also learned how to make paper-cuttings and clay sculptures. Zhu Jiyu, a 13-year-old student, gifted the paper-cutting she made to her mother.

After the activity, participants gifted pieces of red paper with the Chinese character "Fu" (meaning "fortune" or "blessing") written on them to local seniors who live alone.

Children are less exposed to traditional culture these days, as we now live in the information era, so this activity is meant to give them a taste of good old-fashioned culture, said a local official.