DUBAI, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- With the Chinese Year of the Horse approaching, the festive spirit of the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, has already galloped across the United Arab Emirates (UAE), racing into cities and campuses alike.

The Chinese Year of the Horse will begin on Feb. 17, 2026, according to the Chinese lunar calendar. However, the celebrations have already begun in the Gulf country.

From Dubai, to Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Sharjah, the aroma of tea, the strokes of calligraphy brushes and the rhythmic splash of dragon boat paddles have carried attendees on a journey thousands of miles east.

At Fujairah University, Fares Feras Nehlawi donned a black Hanfu (a traditional Chinese clothing) embroidered with red cloud patterns and performed a traditional tea ritual with elegant precision. He lifted the cup, inhaled its rich aroma and took a gentle sip, savoring a moment that felt centuries old. Nearby, students tried their hand at Chinese painting, paper-cutting, lacquer fan crafting, eager to share their creations with friends.

"Chinese tea and painting are incredible," said the student, who majors in nursing. "The paintings feel like a journey back in time, and the tea has a unique charm. I've never experienced Chinese culture this vividly before."

The event, "Spring Festival Meets Fujairah: Silk Road Elegant Gathering," was organized by the Consulate General of China in Dubai and co-hosted by Fujairah University and the Confucius Institute at the University of Dubai on Wednesday. Similar celebrations were held this week at the American University of Ras Al Khaimah and the American University of Sharjah, giving young audiences a hands-on introduction to Chinese art, music, dance and traditions.

"Experiencing the Spring Festival abroad in such an immersive way is truly meaningful," said Fatima Murad, a university staff member. "It's more than a foreign New Year. It's about family, friendship and shared values. This celebration connects people across cultures and helps everyone understand the depth and richness of Chinese traditions."

At the close of 2024, UNESCO added the Spring Festival, social practices of the Chinese people in celebration of traditional new year, to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The Spring Festival is becoming a global celebration, said Chinese Consul General in Dubai Ou Boqian, adding that "the Spring Festival today is far more than a public holiday in China but a culture bridge connecting people with different backgrounds together."

During the event held in the hall of its main building at the American University of Sharjah on Thursday, international students tried on traditional Chinese and Sharjah attire and engaged in hands-on arts and crafts.

The university's chancellor Tod Laursen emphasized the importance of such exchanges. These experiences enrich education by allowing students to learn from one another and enjoy the festivities together, he said.

The festive spirit also flowed through Dubai's waterways over the weekend with the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Challenge 2026. More than 1,000 professional athletes and enthusiasts paddled in vibrantly decorated dragon boats, sharing the excitement of the Chinese New Year with the city's cosmopolitan residents.

Gianluca Salvicchi, an Italian participant on a multinational team representing Chinese financial institutions in the UAE, said the experience reminded him of similar events in Italy.

"Dragon boating tests strength, focus and teamwork," he said. "Our team, made up of members from China, Italy and Pakistan, trained just a few times a week. It was challenging, but exhilarating."