Lantern carnival lights up Splendid China

The 300,000-square-meter Zigong Lantern Carnival is now on exhibition at Splendid China•China Folk Culture Villages in Nanshan District and will last until Feb. 5 next year.

Visitors join the Zigong Lantern Carnival in Nanshan District. Photos by Sun Yuchen

During the carnival, a total of 10 major themed lantern viewing zones, over 20 Chinese cultural performances, float parades and traditional foods are available each day for visitors.

A float parade is held at Splendid China•China Folk Culture Villages.

Panda-shaped lights at a lantern viewing zone.

The carnival’s biggest highlight is a 2,000-square-meter giant goddess lantern on water, which uses sound, light, shadow, water, fog and smoke. It creates a multiple interactive fantasy experience, like walking into the wonderland depicted in the Chinese classic titled “Mountains and Rivers.” Another zone, the Jurassic-themes zone, is great for parents and children. The zone features dozens of different dinosaurs that have lifelike movements and sounds.

A 2,000-square-meter giant goddess lantern on water creates a multiple interactive fantasy experience.

The lanterns are made and decorated in Zigong, a city located in the southern Sichuan Basin, which is also called the “Lantern Town of the South Kingdom.” Zigong Lantern Festival is one of the largest folk cultural activities in China, which generally lasts a month and attracts people from China and around the world.

In addition, Splendid China offers discounted nighttime tickets priced at 49.9 yuan (US$7.15) each during the carnival.