As Spring Festival approaches, folk performances and intangible cultural heritage crafts are gaining momentum across China.

In Hubei's Xianning, a time-honored dragon dance made its first appearance this year, with local villagers welcoming the "dragon" with firecrackers to pray for good fortune. In Shanxi, artisans continue the tradition of making hua mo, steamed flower buns this year featuring horse-themed and auspicious designs. In Anhui, artisans are busy creating gourd pyrography, a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage item, with horse motifs at the heart of this year's works. Across China, living traditions are adding vibrant cultural charm to country's biggest festive season.