The annual Yuyuan Garden Lantern Show, unveiled last month in Shanghai, will last for 52 days. It is a tradition in Chinese culture to admire lanterns with family members during Spring Festival, which will start on Jan 22. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
One of the most anticipated entertainment events of the year, the annual Yuyuan Garden Lantern Show was unveiled last month and will last for 52 days, longer than previous editions, to allow more people to enjoy the colorful scenes.
The lantern festival, which was included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage in 2008, is a staple in Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations. It is a tradition in Chinese culture to admire lanterns with family members and catch cultural performances during the Chinese New Year, which will fall on Jan 22.
This year’s event takes inspiration from a concept in Shanhaijing, which revolves around creating a happy life for all people in the country.
Sang Yi, an officer with Yuyuan Tourist Mart
In Shanghai, the most iconic venue to do this is Yuyuan Garden, a major scenic spot in downtown Huangpu district which has been holding lantern shows for 28 years.
The latest edition of the show is inspired by Shanhaijing, or The Classic of Mountains and Seas, a major source of Chinese mythology that dates back more than 2,000 years. The work to design these lanterns started as early as in April, according to the organizers.
"Yuyuan Garden has always been striving to promote traditional Chinese culture and explore creative expressions," says Sang Yi, an official with Yuyuan Tourist Mart, the organizer of the lantern festival.
"This year's event takes inspiration from a concept in Shanhaijing, which revolves around creating a happy life for all people in the country. Through the use of modern technologies, as well as various interactive activities, we hope to present visitors with a beautiful 'fairyland' featuring eastern aesthetics."
During the show, a large collection of lanterns depicting animals, dragon, flowers and rare plants mentioned in ancient tales are showcased at the Jiuquqiao area, or "zigzag bridge", in Yuyuan Garden.
Another major cluster of lanterns is positioned within the Center Plaza and themed on the Year of the Rabbit. Here, visitors can find a huge white rabbit "flying" to the moon palace as it turns its head to look at Kun, an enormous fish that could change into a roc, another magical bird of prey mentioned in Shanhaijing.
"This artwork also reflects the history of Chinese people's dream of space exploration," says Sang.
The annual Yuyuan Garden Lantern Show, unveiled last month in Shanghai, will last for 52 days. It is a tradition in Chinese culture to admire lanterns with family members during Spring Festival, which will start on Jan 22. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
Meanwhile, the Center Plaza and Gold Plaza are filled with a multitude of auspicious animal lanterns.
Sang suggests that people visit Yuyuan Garden at around 5 pm when the daily ceremony for the lighting up of the lanterns is held, a brand-new program this year. Story-telling performances and ancient rituals take place during the ceremony.
Visitors can also look forward to a host of activities, including a lantern parade, a puzzle contest and a handicraft exhibition, to participate in. Intangible cultural heritage classes will also be held during the Spring Festival period.
The annual Yuyuan Garden Lantern Show, unveiled last month in Shanghai, will last for 52 days. It is a tradition in Chinese culture to admire lanterns with family members during Spring Festival, which will start on Jan 22. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
At these events, artisans from around Shanghai will teach people how to write Spring Festival couplets, sew scented sachets and make lanterns.
Admission to the lantern show is free except for the following periods: Jan 22-28, and Feb 1-5.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the booths around Yuyuan Garden. Prices range from 30 ($4.3) to 80 yuan.
