A large number of people choose and buy lanterns in a lantern market in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 22, 2005. People in the city rushed to buy lanterns for the Chinese traditional Lantern Festival, which falls on Feb. 23 this year. (Xinhua Photo/Jiang Nan)

An old man and his grandson view lanterns made of wastes during a lantern show in Hangzhou, Feb. 22, 2005. More than 200 lanterns were displayed in the show to celebrate the Chinese traditional Lantern Festival, which falls on Feb. 23 this year. (Xinhua Photo/Zhou Guangli)

Two locals in colorful costumes pose for a photo in a gathering for Yangko folk dance at Qingquangou Village in Liulin County, north China's Shanxi Province, Feb. 21, 2005. The dance show is one of the activities in the region to celebrate the Chinese traditional Lantern Festival, which falls on Feb. 23 this year. (Xinhua Photo/Yang Huhu)

Visitors scatter about the street in the Confucius Temple area, a famous business district in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, late Feb. 21, 2005. Pedestrians admire the festive lanterns to celebrate Lantern Festival, a major public holiday that falls on Feb. 23 this year. (Xinhua Photo)

A citizen looks back while admiring a lantern in the pattern of lotus on Hunan Road in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, late Feb. 21, 2005. Pedestrians admire the festive lanterns to celebrate Lantern Festival, a major public holiday that falls on Feb. 23 this year. (Xinhua Photo)

Exquisites lanterns dot the night in the Confucius Temple area, a famous business district in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, late Feb. 21, 2005. (Xinhua Photo)

Villagers carrying wooden benches decorated in the pattern of a dragon walk in the village of Pujiang County, east China's Zhejiang Province Feb. 21, 2005. Such centuries-old traditional activity usually starts on Jan. 12 of China¡¯s lunar calendar and comes to its end at the Lantern Festival, a major public holiday that falls on Feb. 23 this year. (Xinhua Photo/Bu Ensa)

The photo taken on Feb. 21, 2005 shows the night scene in the Spurting Spring Park in Jinan, Feb. 21, 2005. Thousands of colorful light decorate the park with the approach of Lantern Festival, a public holiday which falls on Feb. 23 this year. (Xinhua Photo/Zhu Zheng)

Lanterns swing above a pool in the scenic Spurting Spring Park in Jinan, Feb. 21, 2005.  (Xinhua Photo/Zhu Zheng)

Cooks in Beijing prepare sweet dumplings for the festival. (newsphoto)

    BEIJING, Feb. 23 -- Despite widespread rain and snow, the Lantern Festival which begins today is still warmly welcomed across the country, bringing the long celebration for the Chinese New Year to an end.

    All shops and stores respond that the sales of sweet dumplings, a traditional food made of glutinous rice flour, usually served in soup, has been surging in the past three days.

    Daoxiangcun, a famous local producer for cakes in Beijing, said its Andingmen outlet sold about 6,000 kilograms of the stuffed dumplings just since last Saturday, according to the Beijing Youth Daily.

    Yesterday witnessed the peak of the purchase of sweet dumplings, which ranges in a wide variety of flavours and packages.

    "We have sold 50 boxes ( 500 kilograms) within six hours," said Huang Junyun, from one of the Ito Yokado supermarkets in Beijing, who is in charge of Sinian, a famous food brand from Henan Province.

    Chi Xiangdong, a manager with Daoxiangcun, a household brand in Beijing for traditional food, was quoted by the Beijing Youth Daily as saying that his company produces 80 to 100 tons of the stuffed dumplings each day this year, up 15 per cent from last year.

    "But it still fails to meet the demand," he said.

    Unpackaged sweet dumplings tops many family's purchase list because of its lower price.

    And dumplings in delicate packages and with an astounding price are also hot as a number of people or companies choose them as good festive gifts.

    Wang Jing, a company official, said she had bought 10 small boxes of sweet dumplings on behalf of the managing board of her firm for all the staff.

    Although producers rack their brains to market more new flavours every year, sesame flavoured dumplings are still most people's first choice.

    This year, a sugar-free type of sweet dumpling is highly favoured since it meets the needs of the elderly, diabetics and stylish people who fancy keeping off weight.

    Many families also choose to have a big dinner tonight in restaurants, but the total number is obviously decreased over that on New Year's Eve.

    The Beijing-based Xinhexuan Restaurant said all of its 50 tables were booked on the Lunar New Year's Eve, but for the festival, only two-thirds were taken.

    Traditions to celebrate the festival, which can be traced to more than 2,000 years ago, also include lantern fairs, lion and dragon dances, fireworks displays and riddle games.

    In South China's Guangdong Province, lanterns in various colours and shapes, with the main ones featuring the diligence of the rooster, are lining up the path from the southern gate to the peak of the Baiyun Mountain in Guangzhou.

    While in most northern cities, ice lanterns are to take place of paper or plastic lanterns that are popular in the south to play a major role in the celebration.

    Foreigners living in China are also happy to join in the final climax for the spring festival.

    In Shenzhen, about 500 foreigners and overseas Chinese attended a grand gala in the Folk Cultural Village, a famous tourist attraction in the city, last night.

(Source: China Daily)