The traditional Chinese New Year of 2011 is just around the corner. Do you have any plans to spend the holiday? Get a glimpse with the following ideas.

Shaoxing city, Zhejiang Province

Shaoxing is an ancient city in Zhejiang Province. In the 8.32-square-km old city, there are seven large pieces of well-preserved historical blocks and 270 places of ancient buildings. With a history of 2,500 years, the city is famous for her numerous canals, small bridges, black awning boats (Wupeng Chuan) and traditional village theatrical performances (Shexi).

For a traditional Chinese New Year celebration, visitors are suggested to drop by the city. Listen to the old Shexi and visit the places once written about by the great Chinese revolutionary writer Lu Xun, like Hengji Pawnshop, Xianheng Restaurant, Tugu ancestral hall and Changqing Temple. The once popular customs like Spring Festival cakes, wrapping glutinous rice dumpling (Zongzi), paper cutting, and squeezing sugar-coated figurine all reshow their faces during the festival.

For visitors fond of water activities, the East Lake scenic area is a must to see. Take a black awning boat (Wupeng Chuan), taste the Yellow Wine and watch the theatrical performances.

Fees of Wupeng Boats: 40 yuan/half an hour, but you can bargain down to 15 yuan/15 minutes.