[Video provided by Khawaja Muhammad Ali Tayyab to en.wuxi.gov.cn]

The week before Chinese New Year, Wuxi already felt different, as if the whole city was holding its breath. I have celebrated many Eids back home in Pakistan, so I know that excited feeling before a big holiday. But watching Wuxi prepare for the Year of the Horse was something completely new. I decided to go out early and watch how the city transforms for Spring Festival.

I grabbed my phone to record for social media and headed to Nanchang Street. The moment I stepped onto the ancient canal street, I understood why Chinese New Year is called the Spring Festival. The whole street was blossoming with hundreds of red lanterns hanging from rooftops and trees. Big, beautiful horse structures stood everywhere — 2026 is the Year of the Horse, and Wuxi had fully embraced it.

Horse statue on Nanchang Street. [Photo provided by Khawaja Muhammad Ali Tayyab to en.wuxi.gov.cn]

Next, I visited Huishan Ancient Town. If Nanchang Street was beautiful, this place felt magical. The old streets with black-tiled roofs were covered in lanterns, forming tunnels of red light above the cobblestones. Shopkeepers arranged their goods, swept doorsteps, and hung lucky decorations. I wandered near Chong'an Temple, where families laughed, and children ran with small lanterns. For a moment, I forgot I was a visitor. I was just enjoying the festival.

Then came the night I had been waiting for.

At midnight on Feb 17, the sky exploded with fireworks. They lit up from every direction — rooftops, bridges, squares. The sound shook my chest. Strangers stood together, all looking up. I held my phone to film, but I forgot to press record. I just watched. In that moment, we were all the same, welcoming Chinese New Year together.

Fireworks over Wuxi. [Photo provided by Khawaja Muhammad Ali Tayyab to en.wuxi.gov.cn]

A few days later, I went to Meili Ancient Town for the Taibo Temple Fair. The place was alive with drums before I even entered. Drummers filled the streets, lion dancers jumped and twisted like real animals. I wanted to join so badly.

And then something unexpected happened.

The author beats the drum at Taibo Temple Fair. [Photo provided by Khawaja Muhammad Ali Tayyab to en.wuxi.gov.cn]

I got to perform. Someone put drumsticks in my hands and taught me the rhythm. My heart beat fast. I started nervously, but local people smiled and encouraged me. Soon, I was keeping pace with them. I couldn't stop smiling.

It didn't end there. They pulled me into the lion dance and dragon dance. I might have looked silly, but no one cared. I was no longer watching — I was part of the celebration.

The author poses for a group photo with performers and other visitors at Meili Ancient Town. [Photo provided by Khawaja Muhammad Ali Tayyab to en.wuxi.gov.cn]

Now, sitting in my dorm at Jiangnan University, I still can't believe that week. This was not just watching from outside. This was a whole city opening its arms and letting me join.

To the shopkeepers who let me film, to the performers who gave me drumsticks, to every stranger who smiled at me: Thank you.

Wuxi, you made me feel like I belonged.

The author, Khawaja Muhammad Ali Tayyab, hailing from Pakistan, is pursuing a master's degree in Food Science and Engineering at Jiangnan University, Wuxi.

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