Lanterns depict various traditional Chinese cultural elements and imbue the night with a sense of mystery in Guangfulin Cultural Relics Park. The show is open from 17:30 to 22:00 and will last until Feb 9. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Shanghai Sheshan Tourist Resort hosted a hiking activity on Jan 1 to celebrate the New Year. More than 4,000 people participated in this year's event. After thirteen consecutive years, the event has developed into one of the most influential holiday events in Songjiang district and has become a local tradition to ring in the New Year.

February

Chenshan Botanical Garden offered a series of festive activities on Feb 17 giving visitors the chance to enjoy a lantern festival with lantern riddles and a variety of family-oriented activities. The Lantern Festival, or yuanxiaojie in pinyin, which falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month, is the first festival after Lunar New Year in China.

March

The 2019 Sheshan International Half Marathon Competition returned to Shanghai's Songjiang district on March 17 after three years. Over 10,000 runners took part in the 21.0975-kilometer marathon in Sheshan. They started at Shanghai Happy Valley and ran through Sheshan National Forest Park, Shanghai Sculpture Park, Chenshan Botanical Garden, and Guangfulin Cultural Relics Park, soaking up the beautiful scenery of Songjiang district along the way.

April

The annual Sheshan Bamboo Shoots Festival was held at Sheshan National Forest Park on March 29 and last until April 7. This year's festival included a series of activities giving visitors the chance to dig and sample fresh bamboo shoots, enjoy bamboo dancing and learn more about bamboo crafts. Bamboo shoots in Sheshan are also known as lansun, or orchid bamboo shoots, and are unique to Sheshan Mountain in Shanghai and appear around the time of Qing Ming Festival, or Tomb-sweeping Day.