BRIGHT LIGHTS: The 3D light show at the Hong Kong Cultural Center and fi rework show over Victoria Harbor are exciting ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year. [Photo provided to Shanghai Star]

The Lunar New Year is one of the most important events on the Chinese calendar and has been for thousands of years. Zhou Wenting looks at some events paying tribute to the traditions of the festival.

As the biggest festival in China, the Lunar New Year has a lot to offer. In fashionable Shanghai and its neighboring cities, there are a number of events where people can experience the original folk flavor of the festival.

Guyi Garden 古漪園

The garden, with a history dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), will host a Spring Festival fair. Visitors can enjoy traditional snacks and observe traditional Chinese folk artwork being made. Visitors can also watch folk performances and masters of particular handicrafts will demonstrate their unique skills, such as paper-cutting and using syrup to draw animals and cartoon characters.

Open: now through March 8

Address: 218 Huyi Highway, Nanxiang town, Jiading district 嘉定區(qū)南翔鎮(zhèn)滬宜公路218號

Ticket: 12 yuan ($1.92) per person

Square Pagoda Park 方塔園

Traditional Shanghai opera and Shaoxing opera performances will be performed in the park. Masters will demonstrate traditional artwork, and dragon and lion dancing.

Open: Feb 19 to March 8

Address: 235 East Zhongshan Road, Songjiang district 松江區(qū)中山東路235號

Ticket: 12 yuan per person

Nanxiang Old Street 南翔老街

Red lanterns will illuminate this historical, well-preserved area that is surrounded by traditional residential houses and commercial areas in the center of Nanxiang ancient town during the Spring Festival. Visitors can tie their New Year wishes to the trees and watch a boat parade.

Open: Feb 17 to March 5

Address: 206 Jiefang Street, Jiading district 嘉定區(qū)解放街206號

Ticket: 40 yuan per person

Grand View Garden 大觀園

Local residents will dress up in traditional folk attire in the garden to make flower baskets and perform fan dances to show how people used to celebrate the Spring Festival. Visitors are welcome to join the show. This famous garden was built to resemble the garden described in A Dream of Red Mansions, a Chinese classic written by Cao Xueqin more than 200 years ago.

Open: Feb 19 to 24

Address: 701 Jinshang Highway, Qingpu district 青浦區(qū)金商公路701號

Ticket: 60 yuan per person

Zuibaichi Garden 醉白池公園

There will be a grand Spring Festival fair held on the central lawn of the park. From Feb 15 to 17, the first 50 visitors will receive New Year couplets written by renowned calligraphers. On the afternoon of the Lantern Festival, which falls on March 5, there will be a traditional contest in which participants must answer riddles written on lanterns.

Open: now through March 15

Address: 64 South Renmin Road, Songjiang district 松江區(qū)人民南路64號

Ticket: 12 yuan per person Around Shanghai