On December 21, the 2nd Lantern Art Festival at Beijing Expo Park will kick off. With the theme of Loong, this year's works are handmade by artisans in Zigong, Sichuan. For the first time, technological lighting and projection have been added to create a "skylight beam" lighting effect, bringing visitors a special art experience. The festival will last until March 15, 2024, for 86 days.

This year's art festival is divided into two major theme areas: "Science and Technology" and "Intangible Heritage Lanterns". The lantern viewing area covers 300,000 square meters. There are more than 150 groups and 200,000 lanterns of various types, including general lanterns and high-tech lanterns. The lighting time is from 17:00 to 21:00 every day. The lantern tour route is 3 km, connecting the core landmarks of the park, such as the China Pavilion, Longqing Street, Botanic Garden, Guirui Theatre, and Yongning Pavilion, so that the park's gorgeous lighting and color at night blend with the ecological landscape.

The "Science and Technology" area is located in Wanhua Plaza in front of the China Pavilion. 120,000 lights adorn the seven major points of splendid Loong, befelling, totems, flower rain, splendid scenery, farming, and prime time. Every night from 18:00 to 21:00, a live-action story interpretation will be held, bringing visitors an audiovisual feast.

The "Intangible Heritage Lantern" area is located on the middle road, Botanic Garden East Road, and the south road. There are many types of large-scale lantern groups. Along the tour route, visitors can see more than 40 lantern groups, including Loong and Nine Princes, Lion Dance, Cedar, North Gate Lock, and Auspicious Peace. Among them, Nymph of the Luo River, Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains, Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains, and Along the River During the Qingming Festival vividly recreate the scenes in the picture with lights.

Translator: LIU Siqi

Editor: ZHOU Huilin