Across China, Spring Festival cheer brings joy to tourists with lantern shows, folk performances

Across China, vibrant Spring Festival events -- ranging from dazzling lantern displays to lively folk performances -- are bringing festive joy to tourists.

In the Nanhu Scenic Area of Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province, the Spring Festival lantern show, themed “Magical China,” has captivated visitors with its vibrant lights and intricate designs. Inspired by ancient Chinese myths and inventions, the lanterns seamlessly blend traditional culture with artistic innovation.

"It is really good. The lights are so bright, the themes are diverse, the lanterns here are crafted with great detail, and the atmosphere is amazing. The service is very good as well. The people of Tangshan are very welcoming. The lantern show is a great success," said a tourist surnamed Zhang.

A highlight of the celebration was a breathtaking drone performance, in which thousands of drones illuminated the night sky with dynamic images celebrating the Spring Festival.

Meanwhile, in Dafeng District of Yancheng City, east China's Jiangsu Province, a collaboration with lantern artisans from Zigong -- a southwestern Chinese city famous for its lantern making -- has resulted in over 30 stunning themed installations.

Among the highlights is the ten-meter-tall “Tulip Goddess” lantern, which blends with the surrounding lights to create a mesmerizing scene. Visitors also enjoyed traditional performances, such as the molten iron fireworks display and the Huohu (fire pot) show, adding to the vibrant holiday atmosphere.

Jimo Ancient Town in Qingdao City, east China's Shandong Province, transformed into a festive wonderland, drawing tourists with its lanterns and light installations, temple fairs, and folk performances.

Activities such as lion dances and the Jimo Yangko dance kept crowds entertained throughout the day, while the evening showcased a spectacular fusion of technology and tradition. Light projections, zodiac-themed lanterns, and glowing red lanterns illuminated the streets in celebration of the Spring Festival.

Across China, Spring Festival cheer brings joy to tourists with lantern shows, folk performances

Even under assumptions that the U.S.-Israel war on Iran does not persist past April and that traffic through the Strait of Hormuz gradually resumes, the world will face the pressure of rising oil prices throughout this year, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Tuesday.

In its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook released on Tuesday, the EIA raised the forecast of Brent crude oil spot price for 2026 to 96 U.S. dollars per barrel from the previous forecast of 79 U.S. dollars a barrel.

Retail gasoline and diesel prices will continue the rising trend this year, said the outlook.

The outlook maintains a risk premium on crude oil prices throughout the forecast period, as the EIA expects uncertainty around future supply disruptions to keep prices above pre-conflict levels.

"Once flows through the Strait of Hormuz resume, we assume it will take time to resolve the backlog and disruption to oil tanker routes and trade flows and that the potential for future disruptions will remain at risk and create a premium in the oil price," it said.

US Energy Information Administration forecasts rising oil prices throughout 2026