Travel boats decorated with rabbit-shaped lanterns on West Lake are popular among tourists during the Spring Festival holiday. [Photo/IC]

Travel boats decorated with rabbit lanterns on West Lake recently impressed Zhou Dan, who visited Hangzhou for the first time from the neighboring city of Suzhou for the Spring Festival.

"The festival is in the air around West Lake. It was so meaningful to experience a festive Chinese New Year," Zhou said.

Appreciating plum blossoms is also a tradition followed by Hangzhou residents to mark the Spring Festival. Gushan island near West Lake is a little-known spot popular among local residents looking to enjoy the flowers.

"Gushan is the place where recluse Lin Bu chose to start his secluded life, planting plum trees and raising cranes, so admiring plum blossoms here is also a tribute to traditional culture," said Zhang Yiwen. He took his daughter to the island this year, hoping to give the youngster more opportunities to enjoy Hangzhou's history and culture.

Watching opera performances is also popular way to mark the Chinese New Year among local residents, especially the silver generation. At the Huanglongdong folk customs park, a variety of opera shows were staged throughout the holiday from Jan 21 to 26.

Plum blossoms gradually come into bloom in Hangzhou. [Photo/dskb.cn]