Chinese cities stage lantern show to greet new year

Cities across China are showing off a colorful new look with lakes and parks adorned with dazzling and vibrant lanterns as the New Year is approaching, attracting people to enjoy various activities and embrace a new beginning.

Chongqing Municipality in southwest China staged a splendid lantern show at the Longtanghu Park to greet the imminent arrival of 2025.

A host of dazzling lanterns scattered over the lake in the park, lighting up the night sky and creating a harmonious festive vibe.

Moreover, a water wonderland is created with lanterns in the shape of a carp. The fish, in Chinese folklore, can turn into a dragon, once it leap over the Dragon Gate, or the top of a waterfall cascading from a legendary mountain, which is considered an auspicious symbol.

In addition, a series of folk-art performances, like fire pot ("Huohu" in Chinese), were also presented to wish for a good fortune and good luck in the new year.

The city also provided residents and tourists with a visual feast by putting on a grant drone show on Saturday night.

The magnificent drone fleet consisting of 1,000 drones constantly changed shapes in the air, including carps, dragon, firework and lanterns, combining modern technology with traditional cultural elements to celebrate the arrival of 2025.

The lantern show, kicked off on Saturday, will run through the Lantern Festival in the Year of the Snake, which falls on Feb 12 next year.

A lantern fair is being held at the China Flower Expo Park in Yinchuan City of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

The event showcases an array of intricately designed lantern displays, which span multiple themed areas and include a variety of engaging activities like trying delicious cuisines and enjoying intangible cultural heritage performances.

By blending traditional culture with modern technology, the lanterns aim to create a mesmerizing visual experience that transports visitors to a fantastical world.

"It is the first time that I've seen such beautiful lanterns. There are so many types and the designs are very beautiful," said Xue Shaohua, a resident in Yinchuan.

"The lantern fair covers an area of more than 300,000 square meters and have more than 100 sets of lanterns. We've set up five exhibition areas, with five themed activities launched as well, such as Datiehua (molten iron fireworks), parades, stage performances. We're also offering intangible cultural heritage products and snacks," said Cui Meng, head of the lantern fair.

The lantern fair will last until Feb 16, 2025.

Chinese cities stage lantern show to greet new year

Xi'an, the capital city of what is now northwest China's Shaanxi Province, has played a pivotal role in facilitating China's exchanges with the rest of the world through the ancient Silk Road.

The city, which was called Chang'an in ancient China, served as the starting point of the Silk Road. Chang'an was the capital city of several ancient Chinese dynasties, including the Western Han and the Tang, from 202 BC to AD 907.

Stepping out of the Xi'an Railway Station, one will encounter the colossal ruins of the Danfeng Gate of the Daming Palace. This gate was the national gateway of the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

Over 1,300 years ago, envoys from all nations from every corner of the world would pass through this very gate to pay homage to what was then the world's most powerful empire.

In Istanbul, the Topkapi Palace Museum, built in 1478, was the heart of the Ottoman Empire.

As camel bells echoed across deserts from Chang'an and merchant ships sailed oceans from east China's Quanzhou City, treasures of civilization from ancient China ultimately settled within this museum.

Its collections include vast numbers of Chinese paintings, calligraphy, and precious gold and silver artifacts, among them 12,000 pieces of Chinese porcelain.

At the Topkapi Palace Museum, these porcelain wares now stand on display for the world, telling a history of civilizational exchange spanning Eurasia.

Northwest China's Xi'an plays pivotal role in boosting ancient exchanges with outside world