Qingdao unveils Spring Festival fair in Boli town

Early in the morning, the Boli fair in Qingdao West Coast New Area bustles with enthusiastic visitors. [Photo/WeChat account: xihaianwenlv]

Qingdao West Coast New Area launched its Spring Festival fair, featuring the rich heritage of marine cultures, in Boli town on Jan 13.

By seven o'clock in the morning, the Boli fair was already teeming with people, over 70,000 in total. They flocked in from all directions, eager to explore the more than 1,200 neatly-arranged stalls.

An endless array of fresh marine delicacies, specialty foods, and goods for Spring Festival were on offer. Stalls offering popular items like lamb soup and seafood stewed pancakes boasted long queues. The cacophony of vendors' calling out, the ripple of laughter, and the continuous buzz of conversation were music to the ears.

The ceremony commenced amid a resounding drumbeat. The song and dance performances by local artistic volunteers elicited waves of applause from the audience, bringing the show to its crescendo.

Meanwhile, various thematic markets were erected on-site, including folk customs corners, artisanal enclaves, intangible cultural heritage showcases, and seafood hubs, showcasing a plethora of handcrafted goods, cultural treasures, and specialty sea produce.

The Boli fair boasts a history spanning over 300 years, and it is one of Qingdao's oldest and most expansive markets, now revered as part of Qingdao's intangible cultural heritage.

Over the years, the Boli fair has stood as a pivotal shopping destination for locals and neighboring communities. Every Chinese New Year season, the fair comes alive, serving as the prime destination for residents and tourists alike to savor the festive spirit and embrace the dawn of Spring Festival.