As Beijing rings in the Year of the Horse, the historic Shichahai district transforms into a living postcard of past meets future. Locals and visitors alike are flocking to frozen lakes where robot-powered dog sleds zip across ice, while nearby hutongs buzz with the aroma of huoguo (hot pot) feasts 🍲 – a delicious reminder that some traditions never change.
🔮 Future-forward festivities: This year’s celebrations feature AI-generated zodiac art installations and VR dragon dances projected onto ancient temple walls. 'It’s like our ancestors’ dreams got a software update,' laughs 24-year-old tech student Li Wei, who’s been sharing AR-enhanced hongbao (red envelopes) through social media.
❄️ Chilly thrills: The district’s iconic ice rinks now host neon-lit 'ice escape rooms' challenging teams to solve puzzles before their traditional tea snacks freeze solid. Meanwhile, elderly residents teach Gen Z visitors the lost art of hand-carved ice lanterns – with TikTok tutorials naturally included 📱.
As night falls, the quarter glows with holographic couplets beside paper cuttings made using laser-cut technology. 'This is how culture stays alive,' says cultural preservationist Zhang Mei. 'We’re not replacing traditions – we’re giving them new ways to gallop into the future.' 🐎✨
