Floating flower market, lantern show add to holiday spirit

Yuexiu Lantern Show, the largest of its kind in Guangzhou, opened in Yuexiu Park on Feb 8. [Photo/Xinhua] 

The holiday season is in full swing in Guangzhou, with a wide range of festivities being held throughout the city.

The Yuexiu Lantern Show, the city's largest, opened on Feb 8 at Yuexiu Park with more than 50 giant lanterns and 30 light installations. This is the sixth year that the park has hosted the show, whose lanterns were painstakingly crafted using original designs. The show will last until March 11 and offers visitors a chance to admire the distinctive Lingnan lanterns.

Cantonese Opera shows are performed at a floating flower market in Liwan district on Feb 10. [Photo/ycwb.com] 

Liwan district in west Guangzhou also wowed local residents on Feb 10 with a special floating flower market. The event has been held for five consecutive years and consistently attracts thousands of visitors. Apart from selling flowers, the event also features lion dances, Cantonese Opera shows, Ansai waist drum performances from Northwest China, and a special Lingnan dance known as the "Fire dog dance" (a dance which originated among the Yao people in Qingtian county of Huizhou as a form of dog worship). The floating flower market will last until Feb 15, the eve of the Chinese New Year. 

The fire dog dance is performed at a floating flower market in Liwan district on Feb 10. [Photo/ycwb.com]