Enjoy the New Year holiday

Photo taken on January 1, 2026 shows a glass ball-shaped white horse installation at the Grand Bazaar Pedestrian Street in Urumqi City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region attract tourists to watch. On the first day of the New Year's Day holiday, the three landmarks of Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, Vanke Plaza and Hotan Street simultaneously opened colorful New Year's activities. The warm-hearted measures of delayed business hours made the festive atmosphere in winter even stronger. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/Otkur Nijat)

The ancient folk art of Shehuo

Photo taken on December 31, 2025 shows members of a Shehuo team perform waist drums in Urumqi City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. On that day, the Shehuo performance of Urumqi Economic and Technological Development Zone (Toutunhe District) was staged in front of Wanda Plaza. Eleven teams took turns to perform, and the sonorous gongs and drums were intertwined with the agile dance. The traditional performances and technological performance collided with unique sparks, creating a strong new year’s atmosphere and welcoming the New Year together. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/Tang Yong)

Strong atmosphere of New Year

Photo taken on December 31, 2025 shows performers dancing to the rhythm of music at the Grand Bazaar Pedestrian Street in Urumqi City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The New Year's Day celebrations are alive with energy, as the city bids farewell to the old year and welcomes the new. The air thrums with the deep, resonant beats of drums and gongs, while performers in vibrant red costumes dance with lively enthusiasm. Their movements blend the bustling energy of the bazaar with the joyful spirit of the holiday, creating a vivid picture of festive cheer across the region. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/Otkur Nijat)

The charm of intangible cultural heritage

Photo taken on December 30, 2025 shows children experience shadow puppetry in Yangmaohu Community, Shengli Road Street, Tianshan District, Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. That day, the community organized an activity for the children to experience traditional folk customs and welcome the New Year. People experienced blowing sugar figures and performing shadow puppetry together, and welcomed the arrival of the New Year in colorful activities. (Photo by Sun Zhensong)

The senior university

Photo taken on December 31, 2025 shows several elderly people learn African drums at the Senior University of Yuli Town in Yuli County, Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The senior university offers a variety of distinctive courses such as square dancing, Xinjiang dance, African drums, recitation and chorus. It not only enriches the spiritual and cultural life of the elderly in the community, but also conveys the warmth and care of the community, allowing the elderly to truly feel the happiness of mind in their later years. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/Han Liang)

Snow Capital of China

Photo taken on December 31, 2025 shows the train slowly pull out of the platform, and passengers wave to the camera in Urumqi Railway Station, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. At 23:40 on that day, the first "Snow Capital of China - My Altay" passenger train, newly built by the Xinjiang railway department with the theme of ice and snow, set off from Urumqi Railway Station with a whistle. More than 300 passengers boarded the train and headed north. They will arrive in Altay, the snow capital, in nine hours and 20 minutes, facing the rising sun of the New Year. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/Zou Yi)

Supermoon

Photo taken on January 3, 2026 shows China has witnessed its first "supermoon" of the year. On the Dabancheng section of the Lanzhou-Xinjiang High-Speed Railway, a bright moon rose slowly from the ridge of the Tianshan Mountains, complementing the speeding trains and the twinkling windmill tower lights, creating a poetic starry sky picture. The "supermoon" originates from the elliptical orbit of the Moon around the Earth. There will be two supermoon events in 2026, on January 3 and December 24, respectively. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/Cai Zengle)

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Chief Editor: Yu Lei

Editor: Cai Zengle

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