Lantern show lights up Yuyuan Garden

As one of the most anticipated entertainment events of the year, the annual Yuyuan Garden Lantern Show has kicked off on Sunday in Shanghai, in celebration of the upcoming Chinese New Year, which falls on Feb 10 this year.

The 40-day lantern show features a diverse collection of lanterns, themed on the dragon, which is the Chinese zodiac creature for 2024. Listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008, the show welcomes the 29th edition this year.

Similar to the last edition, this year's show is also 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 show consists of five clusters of lanterns that together depict a magical scene where dragons live in harmony with various kinds of marine animals and plants.

In addition to colorful lanterns, the show also features diverse cultural activities such as dance performances, intangible cultural heritage parades, as well as interactive events such as markets and riddle games.

Admission to the lantern show is free except for the following periods: 10 am to 10 pm from Feb 10 to 16 and from Feb 22 to 25; 2 pm to 10 pm from Feb 17 to 21.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the booths around the Yuyuan Garden, with prices ranging from 50 ($6.9) to 80 yuan.

wangxin2@chinadaily.com.cn