Actors clad in traditional costume greet visitors as Spring Festival sees culture take to the streets, Deng Zhangyu reports.

On Lunar New Year's Eve, usually a time of family reunions around the dining table, a city wall built more than 2,000 years ago in Jingzhou, Hubei province, was drawing enthusiastic crowds.

Visitors took boats on the moat around the walls to the entrance gate, which was decorated with Spring Festival couplets and red lanterns. After passing through the brick wall, a fortification in ancient times, they were able to climb up onto it and enjoy a bird's-eye view of the city.

Actors clad in costumes from the 2,500-year-old Chu culture greeted visitors with good-wish envelopes, while costumed dancers playing the roles of heroes from the city's history invited onlookers to join them, and get into the festive spirit.