Across China, people celebrated the Lantern Festival with time-honored traditions: families gathered to watch the full moon, admire beautiful lanterns, and solve lantern riddles. Luohu People’s Hospital served the sweet glutinous rice balls — a festive favorite — to every hospitalized patient along with warm greetings, ensuring that all felt the holiday spirit even while away from home.

While most people return to their hometowns for the Spring Festival by car, by train, or by plane, a young man in Shenzhen opted for a less conventional way — walking 310 kilometers back to his hometown Shantou in six days.

When evening falls in a residential block in Futian District, a phone tends to prove very useful if you are hungry. A green metal cabinet on a sidewalk can be seen glowing in the fading dusk light. Via a scan of a QR code, its doors slide open and reveal neatly packed food such as vegetables, fruit and bread — free for the taking. No cashier, no counter and no conversation is required in this process.

As the Lunar New Year approaches, while many dream of festive family reunions in their hometowns, an increasing number of young residents in Shenzhen are choosing to stay put — and are turning a seasonal challenge into a lucrative opportunity. For the city's pet owners facing the annual dilemma of “what to do with my furry friend,” a solution is emerging right next door: trusted carers offering in-home pet care.