A dragon dance performance at a shopping mall in Hai'an. [Photo/WeChat account: njwgx6]

The Hai'an Huayi Tie-Dye Museum offers a vibrant starting point for the Chinese New Year, inviting visitors into a colorful world of intangible cultural heritage. The museum showcases a wide range of tie-dye works, from garments to decorative pieces, while also offering interactive digital programs.

Visitors can try classic techniques such as indigo tie-dyeing and multicolor injection dyeing, experiencing firsthand how traditional craftsmanship is being reimagined with artificial intelligence. Many choose to take home their handmade creations as meaningful New Year's keepsakes.

At the Xinyuan Silk Culture and Art Center, visitors can admire silk reproductions of renowned Chinese masterpieces.

Recreated at a one-to-one scale from the original paintings, these works preserve the flowing brushstrokes of ancient masters and add the soft sheen unique to silk.

During the holiday season, the Hai'an Museum offers a series of special programs, including an exhibition showcasing artifacts unearthed from the Qingdun archaeological site. Highlights include the celebrated Qingdun pottery axe and enigmatic carved symbols discovered on ancient deer antlers, offering visitors a connection to a civilization dating back more than 6,000 years.

As evening approaches, Zhongdajie Street becomes a popular destination for dinner, bringing together a wide array of local specialties, from traditional snacks to comforting home-style dishes.

A lantern show in Hai'an. [Photo/WeChat account: njwgx6]

Throughout Spring Festival, Hai'an comes alive with folk performances such as dragon dances, lake boat dances, flower basket lifting, and traditional singing. Performed along the streets and in neighborhoods, these acts blend rhythmic storytelling with auspicious verses, filling the city with celebration while showcasing the enduring vitality of grassroots folk culture.