Nanjing Road Spring Festival Market Opens at Century Square

Credit: Ti Gong

Caption: Crowds gather at Century Square on Nanjing Road Pedestrian Mall as shoppers visit the Spring Festival market on Friday.

A Chinese New Year market opened on Friday at Century Square on Nanjing Road Pedestrian Mall. The event will run for 11 days at Shanghai's landmark shopping street.

The market continues through February 23. It offers shopping, food and activities during the Spring Festival, which falls on February 17 (Tuesday) this year.

Shoppers can buy the Year of the Horse merchandise, zodiac stamps and commemorative postcards. Vendors are also selling gift packages with Shanghai themes. Some feature the city skyline and well-known landmarks.

One highlight is merchandise inspired by the "Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow," a famous bronze sculpture housed at the Gansu Provincial Museum in northwest China.

Several snack brands have launched holiday gift packs and limited flavors for family gatherings and corporate gifts. The organizer said the market aims to serve as a one-stop destination for New Year shopping.

Food stalls sell traditional holiday dishes. These include sweet rice dumplings and festival pastries. Vendors also offer grilled skewers and specialty drinks. Some booths serve Bavarian-style sausages and Western baked goods.

The market includes sports games and a small fitness area. Visitors can join cultural workshops such as traditional ink rubbing and take their prints home. Family play areas are also available.

The organizer said the event supports Nanjing Road's role as a commercial and cultural hub during the holiday.