Festive shopping buzz builds nationwide as Spring Festival approaches

As the Spring Festival draws near, a strong festive atmosphere is taking shape across China. From bustling New Year goods markets to shopping malls and neighborhood fairs, red lanterns, gilded Spring Festival couplets, Horse Year zodiac decorations, festive flowers, candies and holiday snacks fill the stalls. Shoppers browse markets and supermarkets to carefully select New Year supplies, creating scenes rich with joy and warmth. Smiling faces and bags full of holiday purchases together paint a vivid picture of Chinese families preparing for the Lunar New Year, reflecting both the happiness of everyday life and a lively surge in seasonal consumption.

Photo taken on Jan. 24, 2026 shows residents visiting flower markets, enjoying festive lantern displays and shopping for New Year goods in Kaifeng City, central China's Henan Province, as the holiday atmosphere continues to build. (Li Junsheng/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on Jan. 24, 2026 shows shoppers selecting Spring Festival decorations at a shopping mall in Xinle City, Shijiazhuang City, north China's Hebei Province. (Jia Minjie/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on Jan. 24, 2026 shows people choosing Spring Festival ornaments at a New Year goods market in Subei Commercial Plaza, Hailing District, Taizhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Tang Dehong/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on Jan. 24, 2026 shows citizens shopping for New Year goods, festive flowers and traditional sugar art at a Spring Festival market in Baochuan Ruins Park, Nanjing City, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Gu Changwang /Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on Jan. 21, 2026 shows residents purchasing candies at a supermarket in Renhuai City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Chen Yong/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on Jan. 19, 2026 shows shoppers selecting festive New Year decorations at a wholesale market in Nanning City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Hu Yan/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on Jan. 21, 2026 shows residents buying flowers at a New Year market in Mile City, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Pu Jiayong/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on Jan. 23, 2026 shows consumers shopping at a supermarket in Xindian Subdistrict, Dongying District, Dongying City, east China's Shandong Province. (Liu Zhifeng/Guangming Picture)