* Known as China's "City of Lanterns," Zigong hosts its grand international lantern festival from Jan. 17 to the end of March. As of Feb. 12, the event had already attracted nearly 1.15 million visitors from around the world.
* Zigong's flourishing lantern industry has over 1,000 lantern-related enterprises, employs up to 130,000 people and enjoys an annual output of 6 billion yuan.
* Since their international debut in Singapore in 1990, Zigong's lanterns have illuminated over 90 countries and regions, emerging as a global cultural phenomenon.
CHENGDU, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Scenes from the Chinese legend of the White Snake, an 8-meter-tall giant panda, and lifelike dinosaurs -- these elements come to life in a dazzling lantern world, casting a magical glow over the night sky of Zigong City in southwest China's Sichuan Province.
Known as China's "City of Lanterns," Zigong hosts its grand international lantern festival from Jan. 17 to the end of March. As of Feb. 12, the event had already attracted nearly 1.15 million visitors from around the world.
An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 29, 2025 shows tourists visiting an international lantern festival in Zigong, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua)
Covering more than 425,000 square meters with an investment of 170 million yuan (about 23.7 million U.S. dollars), the 2025 festival features over 200 lantern sets. The 2025 edition of the festival is the largest in scale in its entire history.
As Zigong's lanterns gain global recognition, their vibrant glow is now illuminating cities worldwide.
TRADITION PASSES ON
The tradition of celebrating the Spring Festival with lantern displays in Zigong dates back to the Tang and Song dynasties (618-1279). In 1964, the city's government officially organized its first Spring Festival lantern fair. In 2008, the Zigong Lantern Festival was inscribed on China's national list of intangible cultural heritage.
Today, 11 recognized inheritors of the craft are dedicated to preserving and innovating the art of lantern-making.
Zigong's flourishing lantern industry has over 1,000 lantern-related enterprises, employs up to 130,000 people and enjoys an annual output of 6 billion yuan.
This photo taken on Jan. 17, 2025 shows a lantern set depicting a scenario from Chinese legend the White Snake during an international lantern festival in Zigong, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)
At this year's festival, one of the most eye-catching installations is a towering giant panda lantern, surrounded by adorable animals such as golden snub-nosed monkeys and alpacas. Upon closer inspection, the panda's fur appears remarkably lifelike, a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship that went into creating it.
"This set of panda lanterns took over a month to complete, and it was entirely crafted by hand," said Liu Juncai, one of the craftsmen, adding that the combination of panda along with other animal lanterns offers a unique way to showcase the province's ecological charm.
The 59-year-old has been crafting lanterns for over three decades and has participated in 16 consecutive Zigong Lantern Festivals.
"Each year, the festival needs to be more innovative than the last, which presents a great challenge for us. To create even more spectacular lanterns, we must keep pace with new technologies and modern techniques," he said.
This year's festival has incorporated cutting-edge materials and AI technology, blending tradition with innovation to create a truly immersive experience for visitors.
This photo taken on Jan. 26, 2025 shows a set of panda lanterns displayed during an international lantern festival in Zigong, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Tang Wenhao)
LIGHTING UP THE WORLD
Since their international debut in Singapore in 1990, Zigong's lanterns have illuminated over 90 countries and regions, emerging as a global cultural phenomenon.
In 2024 alone, a total of 104 Zigong lantern exhibition projects were held in 67 cities across 23 countries, marking a 15.6 percent year-on-year increase.
The festival's global expansion has also been fueled by a new generation of lantern entrepreneurs.
Lan Yang, marketing director at Zigong Star Factory Lantern Ltd., has been instrumental in expanding the company's international footprint. Since taking over his family business in 2020, Lan has leveraged social media platforms like YouTube to promote Zigong lantern artistry worldwide.
Lan attributes the global success of Zigong lanterns to their adaptability and customization.
Tourists watch artist Wan Songtao making porcelain palace lanterns during an international lantern festival in Zigong, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)
In celebration of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Singapore, Lan and his team designed lanterns for Singapore's Chinatown. They added Singapore's national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim, into their creations, alongside traditional symbols such as longevity peaches and prosperity trees and a snake to mark the Year of the Snake.
"I come here to take photos every year. The design and structure of the lanterns change every year. This year's snake design looks more cartoonish and appealing, and the Vanda Miss Joaquim's design and colors are also quite vibrant," said Singaporean citizen Leong Kwong Lee, adding that Singapore and China have always maintained close exchanges, and people continue to connect, communicate, and visit one another.
"I was little scared of the Year of the Snake, but it's a very appealing snake. It looks very friendly with a nice smile. I think it suggests that the next year is going to be very good," said Thomas Coffman, an American visitor in Singapore.
Beyond Singapore, Zigong's lanterns have brightened cities around the globe this Spring Festival, including New York, Houston, Paris and Dublin, spreading light, joy and festive blessings worldwide.
平台数据显示春节中国游客足迹遍布全球1700多个城市 中新社北京2月17日电 (记者 刘亮)中国在线旅游平台去哪儿17日发布的数据显示，今年春节假期中国游客足迹遍布全球115个国家，覆盖全球1754个城市。 据去哪儿 2月21日，湖北省仙桃市委书记孙道军，市委副书记、代市长熊享涛，会见湖北鼎龙控股股份有限公司董事长朱双全、深圳深创生物医药有限公司董事长马亚平一行，就具体项目开展洽谈。政企双方表示，要务实合作、携 最高检：对未成年人实施网络暴力依法从重处罚 中新网2月23日电 据最高人民检察院微博消息，2月23日，最高人民检察院法律政策研究室主任高景峰在访谈时介绍，对网络暴力违法犯罪，应当体现从严惩治精神，依法严肃追究，切实 最高法：加强种业知识产权保护 全面落实惩罚性赔偿制度 在国务院新闻办公室2月22日举行的发布会上，最高人民法院知识产权法庭副庭长中林介绍，法庭5年来共受理案由为植物新品种纠纷的案件481件，审结364件，已涵盖了主 2023年北京高精尖产业新设市场主体占比提升至66.1% 中新网北京2月22日电 (记者 吕少威)京津冀协同发展十年来，北京科技、商务、文化、信息等高精尖产业新设市场主体占比由2013年的40.7%上升至2023年的66.1%。 中新经纬2月22日电 据“中国铁路”微信号消息，2月21日，全国铁路发送旅客1201.2万人次，铁路运输安全平稳。2月22日，全国铁路客流持续高位运行，预计发送旅客1125万人次，加开旅客列车867列。 各地铁路部门积极应对低温 。本文链接：Xinhua Headlines: China's "city of lanterns" shares light, joy worldwidehttp://www.sushuapos.com/show-5-46225-0.html
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