City decorated for Chinese New Year

Festive decorations are seen at the entrance of Lianhua Hill Park in Futian District. Sun Yuchen

Main streets in the city have been delicately decorated with red elements, such as lanterns, Chinese knots and national flags, to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, which falls on Friday this year.

Nearly 143,000 lanterns, 652 Chinese knots and 4,518 national flags were hung on 63 overpasses and along 459 roads, including Beihuan, Binhe, Bao’an and Houhai boulevards, according to the municipal urban management authority yesterday.

Petunias in pink and purple colors were planted on the green belt of Shennan Boulevard, which extends 8.5 kilometers.

Holiday-themed animations will be screened on the exterior walls of more than 1,700 commercial buildings and on over 200 bridges at night across the city from Thursday to Feb. 17, the last day of the Spring Festival holiday.

Light installations featuring oxen as well as traditional Chinese elements that represent good luck, such as magpie and wintersweet, have been built across the city to celebrate the approaching Year of the Ox.

Over 25,000 lanterns in different sizes and flower landscapes covering a total area of nearly 31,000 square meters will dot major public parks across the city.

All park facilities will be open during the holiday. More vending machines will be available at Shenzhen Bay Park, a favorite among visitors. There will be 5G intelligent unmanned vending machines selling beverages and light meals at the park.

In order to provide residents with a safe and happy holiday, parks will be disinfected frequently.

The flow of visitors will also be monitored and controlled based on situations, according to the authority.

2021 is the Year of the Ox, the second of the 12-year cycle of animals in Chinese astrology. It starts Feb. 12, 2021 and lasts until Jan. 31, 2022.