The photo, taken on January 18, shows an elderly person receiving Laba porridge at Yaoling Community, Zuojiatang Neighborhood, Yuhua District, Changsha. An elderly care service company held a Laba celebration on that day, presenting warm Laba porridge to the elderly living around. (Photo/Fu Cong, Hunan Daily)

The Laba Festival, literally the eighth day of the 12th lunar month, is considered a prelude to the Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year. It is customary to eat Laba porridge on this day.

The photo, taken on January 18, shows elderly persons receiving Laba porridge at Yaoling Community, Zuojiatang Neighborhood, Yuhua District, Changsha. An elderly care service company held a Laba celebration on that day, presenting warm Laba porridge to the elderly living around. (Photo/Fu Cong, Hunan Daily)

On January 18, the Laba Festival, the Fire God Palace Restaurant provided free Laba porridge at the Changsha JD Mall to pray for blessings and greet the upcoming Chinese New Year. The photo shows people tasting the Laba porridge. (Photo/Xu Xing, Hunan Daily)

On January 18, the Laba Festival, the Fire God Palace Restaurant provided free Laba porridge at the Changsha JD Mall to pray for blessings and greet the upcoming Chinese New Year. The photo shows people tasting the Laba porridge. (Photo/Xu Xing, Hunan Daily)

On January 18, the Laba Festival, the social service center of Tongdao Dong Autonomous County presented Laba porridge to the residents, creating a warm and festive atmosphere. (Photo/Chen Junyu)

On January 18, the Laba Festival, the social service center of Tongdao Dong Autonomous County presented Laba porridge to the residents, creating a warm and festive atmosphere. (Photo/Chen Junyu)

On January 18, the Laba Festival, a Laba charity cultural event was held at the Nanyue Temple in Nanyue District, Hengyang City. A total of 10,000 bowls of Laba porridge were presented to tourists and residents. The photo shows a child tasting the Laba porridge. (Photo/Cao Zhengping and Zeng Xiaoyan)

On January 18, the Laba Festival, a Laba charity cultural event was held at the Nanyue Temple in Nanyue District, Hengyang City. A total of 10,000 bowls of Laba porridge were presented to tourists and residents. The photo shows a child tasting the Laba porridge. (Photo/Cao Zhengping and Zeng Xiaoyan)

On January 18, the Laba Festival, a Laba charity cultural event was held at the Nanyue Temple in Nanyue District, Hengyang City. A total of 10,000 bowls of Laba porridge were presented to tourists and residents. (Photo/Cao Zhengping and Zeng Xiaoyan)

On January 18, the Laba Festival, the civilization office of Jiahe County launched a Laba porridge presenting activity. Volunteers, courtesy people, and art workers presented free Laba porridge to residents, sanitation workers, and deliverymen to pass on love and care. The photo shows a volunteer presenting Laba porridge to sanitation workers at Renmin Square of the county. (Photo/Huang Chuntao)

Chenzhou's Zixing City launched a Laba Festival voluntary activity on January 18, the Laba Festival. Free Laba porridge was offered at designated locations or distributed by mobile volunteer teams. People expressed happiness upon receiving the sweet porridge, which brought a feeling of warmth during the winter season. The photo shows volunteers offering Laba porridge at Renmin Square of Zixing City. (Photo/Li Ke)