Festival season takes hold

央視國際 2004年01月15日 17:21

　　According to the Chinese zodiac, 2004 is the year of the monkey. Now let's go around the country to see how the mischievous creature has made his presence felt, as the countdown to the Spring Festival begins.

　　In Shangqiu City of Central China's Henan Province, monkeys have found their way into Spring Festival couplets and paintings.

　　The Spring Festival Lantern Show in Jinan City, East China's Shandong Province, sees winding dragons and decorated streets. Even the Monkey King is enjoying a detour from his "Journey to the West".

　　And the streets of Guigang city in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region are lined with trees shrouded in a mist of red.

　　Festivals are invariably times to enjoy food. Zhaoqin City in South China's Guangdong Province is the home of the steamed "Zongzi", a pyramid－shaped dumpling made of glutinous rice wrapped up in bamboo leaves.

　　Different fillings give Zongzi different tastes, the tantalizing aroma of which wafts through the streets.