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Yuyuan Garden

Lanterns are lit up for the Chinese Lunar New Year, also known as Spring Festival, at Yu Garden or Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai, China. [Photo/IC]

Shanghai's most historic and renowned tourist site Yuyuan Garden started its annual lantern show, which will run for 33 days until Feb 22. It is part of the Lantern Festival celebrations, one of the most important Chinese holidays. Every year, as many as 6 million visitors flock here to catch the lantern show. 

The centerpiece of the event this year is a 9-meter-high lantern in the shape of a pig, as 2019 is the Year of the Pig according to the Chinese zodiac. The design features the pig as the Chinese god of wealth holding a gold sycee or yuanbao, a type of currency used in imperial China, while surrounded by a happy human family, symbolizing harmony and wealth.

Lanterns depicting China's development in the past decades will also be showcased as 2019 marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Admission to the show is free except for the Lantern Festival period, which will last from Feb 15 to 19.

The famous classical garden was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and was previously known as the "Greatest beauty of Southeast China". It was renovated by the government several times after 1949, and is now a key relic under State protection.

Dates: 

Jan 21 to Feb 22

Address: 

No 240 Fuyou Street, Huangpu district, Shanghai

Transportation: 

Take Shanghai Metro Line 10 and get off at Yuyuan Garden Station.

Tickets: 

Free admission except for the Lantern Festival period (Feb 15 to 19)