Artists from China's Yunnan Province perform on the 2018 Spring Festival Gala to celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year at Kathmandu, Nepal, on Feb. 9, 2018. Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, falls on Feb. 16 this year. (Xinhua/Pratap Thapa)

KATHMANDU, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- A special Spring Festival gala evening has been held in the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu to celebrate the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year.

The event, hosted by Chinese embassy in Nepal and inaugurated by Nepali President Bidhya Devi Bhandari on Friday evening, gave audience a vivid glimpse of China's rich culture and traditions.

Chinese Ambassador Yu Hong said such events provide an opportunity for the Nepali people to understand better about Chinese art and culture.

The China-Nepal relations have kept going forward in 2017, Yu said, noting that bilateral trade has grown 11.2 percent, while Chinese visitors to Nepal has increased 34 percent. The two sides have also agreed to cooperate under the Belt and Road Initiative, she said.

In the gala evening, a troupe from China's Yunnan Province showed the cultural heritage of their region, including unique customs and art. Jasmine dance, solo acrobatic show and shadow dance themed on China-Nepal friendship among others were the highlights of the event.

The audiences shared that they were amazed by such unique and grand performances by the Chinese artists.

"I am very much impressed by this event. I believe culture connects people, so such cultural exchanges boost the friendship between the people of two countries. The show reflected the history, culture and tradition of China so it helped us to know more about China," Sujata Koirala, Nepal's former deputy prime minister and former foreign minister, told Xinhua.

The show drew over 400 people, including former ministers, political leaders, government secretaries and officials, dignitaries, journalists and Chinese community living in Nepal.

"Culture is the bridge of people-to-people relationship and this event was the perfect example. I am thankful to China for hosting such beautiful event," former minister Hishila Yami told Xinhua.

Various cultural events, including music and dance performance, photo exhibitions, art shows are also being held in Nepal to celebrate the Spring Festival.