Lanterns illuminate NE China’s Shenyang

The 2018 Shenyang international cultural lantern festival opened to the public at Shenyang Expo Park in Shenyang, capital of Liaoning province, on Feb 1.

Hosted by Shenyang municipal government and sponsored by Shenyang Tourism Group, the festival is the first large-scale lantern show themed on the Silk Road in Northeast China. 

Covering an area of 1,000 mu (66.67 hectares), the lantern display runs for a total length of 5.5 kilometers. 

It took three months to prepare the lanterns on exhibition, and the festival will last until March 15, with visitors allowed entry from 9 am to 9 pm every day.

At the opening ceremony, performances including dancing and singing were staged for visitors.

Five exhibition areas with distinctive themes have been set up for the festival, including “spring returns to Shenyang”, “sea of joy” and “all people belong to one family”, showcasing features of countries along the Silk Road. 

In addition, interactive activities, a food festival and dance performances are available for visitors during the festival. 

The 2018 Shenyang international cultural lantern festival opens to the public at Shenyang Expo Park in Shenyang, Liaoning province, Feb 1. [Photo/Shenyang Shuaizheng]

Red lanterns at the 2018 Shenyang international cultural lantern festival in Shenyang [Photo/Shenyang Shuaizheng]

Visitors view a Silk Road-themed lantern display at Shenyang Expo Park, Feb 1. [Photo/Shenyang Shuaizheng]