Chinese New Year is just around the corner, and folk artists in Chongqing municipality have started hanging lanterns and lights to celebrate.

Folk arts heating up for New Year

Some 90,000 lights have transformed the small town of Fuling, in Chongqing municipality, into a sparkling wonderland. Fuling's Lights Art Festival will last until Feburary and is expected to attract tens of thousand visitors.

Meanwhile, the Lantern Festival in the town of Hechuan has a more traditional look. Shapes of dragons, lotus' and ancient pavillions, remind parents and grandparents of earlier times.

Folk songs and dances are performed near Jinfo Mountain. Storing meat is an old New Year's tradition in the region. Local butchers say their products sell out every day.

Visitors can taste special new year dishes while they shop. Many of them say the taste reminds them of the festive flavors they experienced when they were young.

Chongqing Municipality will host more than 100 New Year themed activities during Spring Festival. Eight travel routes have been put in place to make it easy for visitors to take part in the region's natural beauty and cultural events.