Last weekend, Dadonghai Square in Sanya was filled with the sights, sounds, and festive spirit of the Chinese New Year. Farzaneh, a vendor from Iran, stood behind his small Spring Festival stall, warmly welcoming visitors to the row of international booths.

Speaking fluent—if slightly accented—Mandarin, Farzaneh cheerfully greeted every passerby: "Do you like this?" "It tastes really good—I like it a lot!”""Thank you!" After handing products to customers, he always asked for feedback, and whenever he heard praise or approval, his face lit up with a wide smile.

Iranian Vendor Farzaneh promotes New Year goods to visitors.

(Photo by Wu Xingcai, Hinews)

This was Farzaneh's second time participating in the Sanya Spring Festival Shopping Carnival. His small booth was packed with authentic Iranian specialties: sweet, crispy cookies, exquisitely crafted handmade ceramics, and tablecloths woven with elegant patterns.

"Products like these, imported from Iran, are very popular with Chinese customers," Farzaneh said, picking up a vase from the table and gently tracing the intricate patterns on its surface. "These are made of copper, and all the designs are handcarved—they’re really special."

Iranian Snacks. (Photo by Wu Xingcai, Hinews)

The excellent flavors and beautiful handicrafts quickly won over visitors. Ms. Zhang, from Beijing, sampled an Iranian cookie and immediately picked up several packs to take with her. Giving a thumbs-up, she said with a smile, "They're really good. It’s so interesting to be able to buy specialty products from different countries all in one place."

Farzaneh has lived in China for a total of fifteen years, and has spent four of them in Sanya. He already considers the city his second home.

"I really like Chinese culture, and I also love beautiful Sanya," he said. "I especially enjoy Hainan's tea and fruits. This event is wonderful—I love the lively atmosphere. We're not just selling goods here. More importantly, we’re sharing in the feeling of Chinese New Year together."

Iranian Vendor Farzaneh promotes his New Year goods to visitors.

(Photo by Wu Xingcai, Hinews)

Farzaneh's small stall is just one snapshot of the broader 2026 Sanya Spring Festival Shopping Carnival. This year’s event features eight national pavilions, bringing together premium products from around the world and allowing visitors to "shop globally" in one place, with a wide range of available products such as natural Siberian honey from the Russia Pavilion, beauty products and snacks from South Korea, breakfast tea and handmade toffee from the United Kingdom, classic pasta and sauces from Italy, rooibos tea from South Africa, cocoa from Iran in the Central and West Asia Pavilion, and many more varieties of imported goods, bringing Chinese and international flavors together in one vibrant marketplace.

As sunlight bathed the square and the evening breeze drifted through, Farzaneh remained busy at his stall—promoting Iranian specialties in Mandarin while soaking in the warmth and festive joy of the Chinese New Year celebration.