Jiuxing fishing village in Sandu town, Jiande, Hangzhou, was steeped in the aroma of sun-dried fish under the winter sun on Dec 27.

Rows of freshly split fish glistened on drying racks outside local farmhouses. Villagers busied themselves turning and sorting the catch while children looked on.

With red lanterns hanging above the ground, the age-old practice of drying fish — an essential new year staple — brought warmth and a growing sense of Spring Festival cheer to the quiet riverside village.