Various agricultural products from around the country are displayed at the shopping fair in Hangzhou from Jan 5 to 15. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

An annual Spring Festival shopping fair began on Jan 5 in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, as a platform for locals to purchase provisions for the approaching Chinese New Year. 

This year's fair features goods from around the country and numerous supporting activities. Special high-quality products for the Spring Festival are displayed at nearly one thousand booths from more than 20 provinces. The fair has also adopted a new mode for promoting agricultural goods from villages, combining an online trade platform and the offline market.

In addition to the Spring Festival products on display, the fair has also prepared couplets with auspicious sayings. Calligraphers and painters are invited to write couplets and draw portraits for visitors. For Laba Festival, an important festival marking the day of Buddha's enlightenment, a popular congee traditionally eaten on the day was sent to the fair from Lingyin Temple.

The fair will last to Jan 15. During the period, lectures about health and conferences about newly released products will be held to help local residents to have a rich and healthy Spring Festival.

Hangzhou locals shop for Chinese Spring Festival provisions at the shopping fair. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]