Festive activities in Wuxi to celebrate Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival, which is usually on the 15th day of the first lunar month, falls on March 2 this year. It is one of China's traditional festivals, and is commonly celebrated by holding lantern fairs and solving lantern riddles.

Wuxi in East China's Jiangsu province preserved historical tradition and held a wide variety of activities.

A lantern riddle gala called "Spring in Meili" was held by Meicun sub-district on March 2 in celebration of the 2018 Taibo Temple Fair. The temple fair began on Feb 23 and commemorates Wu Taibo, the founder of Wu culture, who is praised for his nobility and humility in giving away his crown to his younger brother. Wu culture is immensely popular in Wuxi and throughout Jiangsu province. [Photo/js.Chinanews.com]

Over 100 locals use waste materials to make lanterns in Xin'an sub-district of Wuxi's Xinwu district. The lanterns are usually colorful and intricately designed, and sometimes shaped like animals. They are extremely popular among children. [Photo/wxrb.com]

Locals solve lantern riddles in Dongting sub-district of Wuxi's Xishan district. Lantern riddles are riddles written on colorful lanterns. If someone knows the answer, they can solve the riddle. If they are right, they receive a gift. The activity originated during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and has become a popular Lantern Festival custom. [Photo/wxrb.com]