A dragon dance performance is staged in Putuo district of Zhoushan, Zhejiang province to greet the Spring Festival. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

Putuo district in Zhoushan, an island city in East China's Zhejiang province, preserves distinctive customs for the Spring Festival which falls on Feb 16 this year.

Ahead of the festival, villagers prepare traditional food whilst calligraphers write couplets for residents, spreading the festivity to every corner of the district.

Ganshiao village in Putuo has an old tradition of holding a grand ceremony to thank God for the harvest in the past year. People decorate the village with paper-cutting artworks, red ribbons, couplets and lanterns, and invite artists to give folklore performances at the ceremony.

Putuo is a coastal area with a prosperous fishery industry. Fishermen go fishing before the festival to ensure there is enough seafood for meals on New Year's Eve. Also, people in Putuo have various ways to cook and preserve fish. Fish hanging on ropes to dry is a common scene at villages in Putuo.

Making New Year wishes at temples is also an activity observed during the Spring Festival in Putuo. Jiedai Temple, Jile Temple and Baique Temple are popular among local people who visit temples to pray to ask for Buddha's blessings for the New Year.

Fish is hung to dry at fishing villages in Putuo, Zhoushan city. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

A little girl tastes the traditional food made for the Spring Festival in Putuo, Zhoushan city. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]