Welcoming the arrival of Spring.

Lichun is a formal declaration to mark the start of Spring. It's more than just a division of the solar year in the traditional Chinese calendar. It's also a time for festivities.

Lichun is a formal declaration to mark the start of Spring. It's more than just a division of the solar year in the traditional Chinese calendar. It's also a time for festivities.

A series of activities will be held at Miaoyuan Village in Quzhou City in Zhejiang Province. Early in the morning, villagers flock to the ancestral hall, the site of a ritual to mark the special occasion. In front of the crowd are 24 children, all wearing traditional clothing as they recite poetry 

The ritual has been done every year since 2005. Villagers hope they can pass on their traditional farming culture to the next generation through these celebrations. 

Last November, China's 24 Solar Terms became part of the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the UNESCO.

Lichun is a formal declaration to mark the start of Spring. It's more than just a division of the solar year in the traditional Chinese calendar. It's also a time for festivities.