As night falls, the Beijing Garden Expo Park, located by the Yongding He in western Beijing, lights up brilliantly. Over 200 lantern installations across nine themed zones of the largest lantern festival in the capital's history, the "Jingcai Lantern Festival," are illuminated simultaneously. The melodious tunes of traditional opera and the dazzling lanterns complement each other, creating a cultural feast that intertwines both visual and auditory experiences.
Stepping into the Beijing Garden Expo Park feels like entering a dreamlike world. As you stroll through the park, vibrant opera masks and exquisite stage costumes are seamlessly incorporated into the lantern designs. Using light and shadow as the brush, and colors as the ink, these lanterns vividly depict iconic scenes from classic operas such as Farewell My Concubine. The displays are a perfect blend of classical and modern, traditional and innovative, attracting many visitors and locals to engage and interact.
The "Jingcai Lantern Festival" spans both the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day, setting new records in Beijing's history in terms of its scale, lantern installations, and design. Building on the craftsmanship of the national intangible cultural heritage, Zigong Lantern Art, the festival incorporates traditional Beijing customs and contemporary symbols of the capital. Elements such as the Central Axis, hutongs, cultural relics, Chinese painting, poetry, and Peking Opera are woven into the design, offering a fresh interpretation of old Beijing charm, modern aesthetics, and festive traditions. As visitors admire the dazzling lanterns, they are immersed in the essence and allure of traditional Chinese culture.
Approximately 70% of the lantern installations draw inspiration from Beijing's culture and classic humanistic themes, highlighting a strong "Beijing flavor." Among them, the "Yingbinmen" installation stretches 80 meters in length and stands 23 meters tall, with individual lanterns measuring up to 15 meters in diameter. Two massive dragons, each 30 meters long, soar into the sky, shining brilliantly. Next to the "YIngbinmen" is the "Reunion Lantern" installation, standing 18 meters tall with a diameter of 22 meters, making it the largest palace lantern in Beijing's history.
The rich traditional culture reflects a deep sense of patriotism. In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the organizers have prepared small national flags and red flag stickers to distribute to visitors. In the "Splendid Mountains and Rivers" themed zone, visitors hold flags and take photos in front of the giant "I Love You, China" lantern installation, expressing their heartfelt love for the motherland.
As visitors walk along Jingcai Avenue, they will come across the central plaza near Gate 5 of the Garden Expo Park, where the "Phoenix Dancing in the Sky" lantern installation is displayed. Made from "colored blow-molded paper + transparent acrylic" using intricate cutting techniques, this is the largest handmade feather lantern in China. The installation stands 10 meters tall and features 40,000 feathers, with the phoenix poised to take flight, wings spread wide. Its neck is equipped with mechanical movement technology, allowing it to nod frequently, greeting visitors as they pass by.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the "Jingcai Lantern Festival" attracted over 120,000 visitors. During the first four days of the National Day holiday, more than 70,000 people attended. In addition to the stunning visual displays, the festival features over 150 specialty shops, offering a wide variety of experiences, including time-honored brands, intangible cultural heritage items, cultural and creative products, and food and beverages. Several renowned dining establishments have set up booths at the festival, allowing visitors to enjoy freshly prepared gourmet meals by top chefs while admiring the lanterns.
To ensure a smooth experience for visitors, Fengtai District in Beijing has mobilized resources across the area, making careful arrangements for transportation, parking, and guided tours. Special transport routes, shuttle buses, and expanded parking facilities have been set up to facilitate easy access for visitors. Additionally, Fengtai District has introduced night tour guides, dining and shopping routes, and autumn sightseeing itineraries. Leveraging the "Jingcai Lantern Festival," the district aims to create a new cultural landmark and a vibrant night economy scene, blending culture, commerce, and tourism in Beijing.
Translator: NIU Lihua
Reviewer: FENG Haoxuan
