Shotlist Muchuan County, Leshan City, Sichuan Province, southwest China - Jan 2, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland) 1. Various of grass dragon dance in progress Xixian New Area, Shaanxi Province, northwest China - Dec 31, 2025 (Shaanxi Broadcasting Corporation - No access Chinese mainland) 2. Various of Huohu, or fire pot performance, in progress 3. Various of Datiehua, or strike iron flower, in progress Hancheng City, Shaanxi Province, northwest China - Jan 1, 2026 (Shaanxi Broadcasting Corporation - No access Chinese mainland) 4. Various of folk performances in progress, spectators 5. Various of artists singing 6. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Xue Hong, spectator (ending with shot 7): "It's truly inspiring. I hope that in 2026, we will develop at a quicker pace, just like the thunderous drumbeats today. I wish for a prosperous and booming year ahead." 7. Various of performances in progress Storyline Chinese people have celebrated the New Year in various ways including distinctive dragon dances and entertaining folk performances. With rich bamboo resources, Muchuan County in southwest China's Sichuan Province continued its longstanding tradition of the grass dragon dance, an intangible cultural heritage at the national level. Crafted from bamboo and straw, this ancient performance dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and symbolizes wishes for favorable weather and bumper harvests. Meanwhile, residents in Xi'an, capital city of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, celebrated the New Year with a mesmerizing display of sparks, enjoying the cheerful atmosphere brought by Datiehua, or striking iron flowers, and Huohu, or fire pot performance, a dazzling spectacle combining tradition, artistry, and even courage. A New Year celebration featured a grand cultural event was held in the ancient town of Hancheng City, Shaanxi. A total of 150 children dressed in festive costumes performed adorable acts that drew applause from the crowd. The powerful rhythms of the drums resonated through the square, with thunderous beats symbolizing strength and vitality. A large-scale chorus of 200 performers sang patriotic songs like "Ode to the Motherland," expressing heartfelt wishes for the country's prosperity and the pursuit of a better life. "It's truly inspiring. I hope that in 2026, we will develop at a quicker pace, just like the thunderous drumbeats today. I wish for a prosperous and booming year ahead," said Xue Hong, a spectator.