At the beginning of the new year, Beijing E-Town is filled with festival vibes. On New Year's Day in 2024, amidst the familiar New Year ambiance and rising fireworks, the residents of E-Town welcomed the new year in diverse ways.

Reunion and New Year's feast with family

Residents wait outside restaurants. [Photo/beijingetown.com.cn]

At around noon time, a Yunnan restaurant near Chaolin Square saw a continuous influx of customers. 

Descending upon the restaurant in groups of three to five, some came to celebrate the new year with friends, while others came with family members for a reunion meal. 

After waiting for more than half an hour, Wang Yang finally sat at the table with his family to enjoy the delicious food. 

"Last year, work was busy, and I had many business trips, so having a meal with my family was a luxury," Wang said, expressing his new year's wish to spend more time having meals with his family.

Nourishing the mind through reading

Some residents choose to spend the day reading. [Photo/beijingetown.com.cn]

At the beginning of the new year, many citizens entered bookstores to start the new year with their nose in a book. 

At the Sisyphe Bookstore in Libao Plaza, many people came to study in different areas. Some carefully selected thrilling new reads; others simply sat next to the bookshelves, engrossed in reading their old favorites.

Enjoying the cinematic time

Residents queue up to buy movie tickets. [Photo/beijingetown.com.cn]

Movies, as an essential cultural nourishment, enrich people's lives and inject a lively artistic atmosphere into the festive and harmonious season. 

At Tangge Cinema, the festive decorations were full of New Year flavor, and people were coming and going in front of the movie posters, queuing up to buy tickets.

Welcoming the new year at the post

"On the first day of the new year, how do you plan to celebrate?" During a meal break at Dazu Square, a food delivery rider patted his colleague beside him and asked with a smile. 

Another delivery worker rubbed his freezing hands and laughed, saying, "Same as usual, celebrating with customers' orders."

On this special day of New Year, many people spent it at their posts. For them, ushering in the new year while staying at their posts is the best way to honor New Year's Day.