Tianjin students plunge into New Year's traditions

"I learned about Chinese Spring Festival customs through firsthand experience," she said. "You know what? An upside-down pasted Chinese character fu means an arrival of happiness! How interesting!"

The university's six canteens across two campuses prepared more than 300 traditional dishes for Chinese and international students to enjoy during lunch and suppertime on Thursday.

The university announced it will provide free food services in canteens, handing out free fruit and organizing activities to encourage teachers and students to send the character fu and New Year's couplets to each other as gifts on Lunar New Year's Eve on Feb 11.