* 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.
多地多部门走访逾80家深市公司 集中“会诊”破解发展难题 本报记者 田 鹏 在部署走访上市公司工作、推动上市公司高质量发展全国视频会议1月29日召开后，多地紧锣密鼓组织专班调研走访上市公司，深交所作为证券 锦绣中国年 | 天津重点监测商贸企业春节假期销售额同比增11.2% 中新网天津2月18日电 (记者 王君妍 通讯员 王 张欣悦)今年春节假期为期8天，是一个“超级假期”，消费市场火爆程度也尤盛往日。记者从天津市商务局 中新经纬2月18日电 “自然资源部”微信号18日消息，自然资源部公开通报2023年度国土变更调查专项督察发现的弄虚作假和调查不认真把关不严典型问题。 据介绍，年度国土变更调查结果中的耕地数据是耕地保护和粮食安 美国国务卿布林肯近日在参加慕安会时说的一句话，可以被解读的空间很大，也值得深入解读一下。他在回答主持人关于“美中紧张局势正在导致更大的分裂”提问时引用了一句美国俚语，称在国际体系当中，“如 新华社记者高敬“前不久，生态环境部和有关部门印发了指导意见，进一步推进农村生活污水治理。在这份文件中，我们去年提出的科学统筹规划、强化资金投入等建议，都有所体现。”近日，全国人大代表、四川省宣汉 日本两大航司近百名员工考试作弊 中新网2月23日电 综合日媒报道，日本两大航空公司全日空和日本航空近日均承认，旗下子公司共有近百员工在机场驾驶资格考试中作弊。 据朝日新闻、读卖新闻和日本放送协会等报道 。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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