The annual Guangzhou International Light Festival, one of the world's major lighting events, illuminates the city's night sky with various iconic light art installations, and highlights the vibrancy of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the spirit of China's 15th National Games.
For the first time, Guangzhou's landmarks, including the Canton Tower, the Guangzhou CTF Finance Center, and the Guangzhou International Finance Center, synchronize a grand light show, creating a stunning visual centerpiece for the festival.
Running from Nov 16 to 26, the event features 36 light art installations across the city's new central axis and the Pearl River waterfront, where 24 buildings show dynamic displays of animation and projection.
The breakout star of the 15th National Games Opening Ceremony, the dazzling iconic Aoyu fish, made a triumphant return, swimming back into the spotlight at the lighting ceremony.
The golden, dragon-headed, fish-bodied giant lantern, which combines modern light engraving technology with traditional aesthetics, drew waves of cheers and a frenzy of camera flashes from the thrilled crowd.
The floral landscapes of the Guangzhou Garden Expo and the light installations of the light festival are interwoven in a layout that complements each other, creating an immersive viewing experience for visitors.
"I think it's very fashionable and creative. Besides, I think this year's event was held quite well because it was very dynamic and had a clear concept," said a visitor.
Meanwhile, the themed installation "Crown" draws inspiration from the symbol of the highest honor in sports competitions. The dynamic, upward-moving design not only embodies the sports spirit of athletes striving for excellence and forging glory but also symbolizes the collective will of the people of the Greater Bay Area.
"The crown in sports symbolizes honor and champion. So, we chose this theme to perfectly blend with the Canton Tower laser show. In the creation of the piece, we incorporated mechanical dynamic transformations to represent the various stages of athletes' struggles and efforts in sports, ultimately forming a device shaped like a trophy," said Huang Guanhua, the designer.
The light festival, together with the 15th National Games running from Nov 9 to 21, and the 32nd Guangzhou Garden Expo (Autumn Session) from Oct 30 to Dec 5, has formed a coordinated "triple-event synergy," creating an all-day, citywide cultural tourism experience that combines daytime flower viewing, evening light displays and round-the-clock sporting excitement.
Stunning light show illuminates night sky in Guangzhou
