Fireworks Fall Silent as Lunar New Year Feels Subdued Across China

Tighter bans, economic strain, and lingering pandemic grief leave residents describing a muted holiday season.

A notice in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China, strictly prohibiting fireworks and firecrackers. Photo provided to The Epoch Times

In past years, the Lunar New Year in China was marked by the crackle of firecrackers at dawn, fireworks echoing across apartment blocks, and crowds packing open-air holiday markets.

This year, across several provinces, local governments imposed sweeping bans on fireworks and firecrackers ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays, part of what officials described as safety and public-order measures.