The time-honored Lantern Festival in Nanjing and the “ten-thousand-person tug-of-war” competitions in Gansu's Tibetan communities are among the vibrant celebrations taking place across China.
The Lantern Festival, which falls on the fifteenth day of the first month in the Chinese lunar calendar—or March 3 this year—is regarded as the joyous finale of the Chinese New Year period. Celebration reaches its peak as people gather to enjoy the final round of heritage traditions, including eating Tang Yuan, sweet glutinous rice balls, and participating in festive activities.
As one of the earliest traditions recognized as a national-level intangible cultural heritage item, the Qinhuai Lantern Festival in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, marks its 40th edition this year.
This year's event features approximately 390 lantern displays across eight exhibition zones. At the Laomendong scenic area, lanterns are themed around the Chinese zodiac Year of the Horse, with over 30 sites decorated with creatively designed "horse" lanterns and ambient lights -- drawing large crowds of tourists eager to take photos.
"The atmosphere is wonderful, and the lanterns are truly beautiful," said Liu Weiping, a tourist.
In the ancient alleyways adorned with colorful lanterns, children can be seen carrying lotus or zodiac lanterns. At lantern shops, crowds bustled as many young tourists had already picked out their favorite festive lights.
"I think the lanterns on the trees are the prettiest because they're decorated with lots of little golden ornaments," said Tian Siyu, a young tourist.
"Business has been great from the Spring Festival all the way through to the Lantern Festival -- lots of customers. This year is the Year of the Horse, so horse-shaped lanterns are definitely our bestsellers," said Shi Wansan, a lantern shop owner.
According to official estimates, the Laomendong historical and cultural street is expected to receive over 400,000 visitors on Tuesday, the day of the Lantern Festival.
In Lintan County of Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Gansu Province, a national intangible cultural heritage tradition with over 600 years of history -- the "ten-thousand-person tug-of-war" competitions -- kicked off on Monday evening.
Recognized by Guinness World Records in 2001, this tug-of-war event is renowned for having the heaviest, longest, and largest-diameter rope, and the highest number of participants. Every year from the 14th to the 16th day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar, three matches are held each evening in Lintan County.
Local residents and tourists immersed themselves in the festive excitement, coming together in celebration to pray for favorable weather, bountiful harvests, and national prosperity in the year ahead.
"I come every year. For the joy of it -- and hoping for good weather and good fortune, right?" said a participant.
Heritage traditions light up Lantern Festival celebrations across China
