China ushered in the Lantern Festival on February 5, 2023, shortly after the Spring Festival. As the saying in the rural areas goes, the Spring Festival celebration is not over until the 15th day of the first lunar month, the Lantern Festival, after which work and agricultural production will start. Although the Lantern Festival is a minor New Year celebration, it is, in some Chinese's mind, a much more lively event than the Spring Festival. Located deep in the mountains of Beijing's suburbs, Xingshutai Village in Huairou District held a variety of activities to celebrate the Lantern Festival. This was also the first time for villagers and tourists to gather together and celebrate the festival since China's COVID management downgrade. Photos: Cui Meng/GT