International students take a close look at a lantern resembling an ox, the zodiac sign of this Lunar New Year in Zhenjiang on Feb 21. They also learned how to make paper lanterns from folk artist Liu Meiliang. [Photo/IC]

A group of international students from Ghana, Pakistan, Congo, and Libya who are attending Jiangsu University in Zhenjiang visited the city's Erdaoxiang community on Feb 21 to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival with local residents.

The festival, which falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month and is on Feb 26 this year, is regarded by Chinese people as the end of Spring Festival.

Eating yuanxiao, or glutinous rice puddings, is a tradition that has been observed by Chinese people for centuries. The small balls are usually filled with meat, red bean paste, black sesame paste, and crushed peanuts, while those filled with fruit have also been popular in recent years.

On the day of the festival, streets are also decorated by lanterns in various colors and diversified shapes. The most popular styles are lotus flowers, the zodiac sign of the year, and cartoon characters.

People also celebrate the day by solving lantern riddles, with winners usually receiving awards from the organizers.

International students make yuanxiao, or glutinous rice puddings, with local residents on Feb 21. [Photo/IC]