People bundle around a flaming charcoal fire to get warm on a chilly winter day, as well as offer blessings for the upcoming lunar New Year on Jan 13, 2019. [Photo by Li Ping/chinadaily.com.cn]

With a charcoal fire burning bright and fireworks blooming over the sky, the 2019 International Tourism Festival opened in grand fashion at Yuxian county, Zhangjiakou city in North China's Hebei province on Sunday.

Titled "Prosperous Chinese New Year", the two-month-long event features holiday-themed performances and delicacies, displays of traditional art and heritage and a dazzling lantern show at the county's central square. Sunday's opening was highlighted by a New Year parade covering a wide array of folk art and performances to the enjoyment of the crowd, ranging from lion dance and drum performances to displays of ancient costumes, and yangge, a popular rural folk dance.