Locals try their hand at grain painting in the Inner Mongolia Museum in Hohhot, capital city of North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on Jan 2. That was the eighth day of the 12th lunar month, according to the Chinese calendar, which is recognized as the Laba Festival when they eat  Laba congee, or eight treasure porridge. The dish is usually made with at least eight ingredients, representing prayers for a good harvest, happiness and peace, it is one of the most important customs of the Laba Festival. Ancestor worship is yet another custom marking the festival. [Photo/people.com.cn]

Cereal and grain are pasted to colored paper to create a grain painting, on Jan 2. [Photo/people.com.cn]

Participants display their grain paintings on Jan 2. [Photo/people.com.cn]