People of various ethnic groups are celebrating the traditional Ay Noruz Festival - similar to the Spring Festival - in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which began Tuesday.

In Shanshan County in Turpan, nearly 10,000 farmers and herdsmen of different ethnic groups gathered together in the central square to attend the grand celebration ceremony held by the local government.

Artists from across the country joined the local people to celebrate the festival. Songs and lively dances were performed by distinguished artists and local people conveyed best wishes for the rest of the year.

"Apricots will bloom after the festival," said Hobull Tohuto, a Uygur villager who took part, "and then it will be time to sow our seeds as the spring is finally coming."

"Besides unique singing and dancing we Uygur people also pass on our good wishes by bashing hard-boiled eggs against each other during the celebrations," he said.

In Kashi in southern Xinjiang many villages as well as having prepared performances also organized many other celebrations for the festival such as sports competitions, the preparation of   traditional food and a handicraft exhibition.

Meanwhile the Kazak people in Burqin County, northern Xinjiang, also have their own way of celebrating.  

Cleaning the house, cooking the Noruz Rice--a special rice made with millet, barley and cheese--and singing Noruz songs are all activities that Kazak people enjoy to celebrate the new year.

The Noruz Festival, which has a history of over 3,000 years, is one of the most significant events shared by various ethnic groups in Xinjiang, including Kazak, Uygur, Kirgiz and Tajik. The festival starts on March 21 each year and lasts for three to 15 days depending on different ethnic cultures.