A total of 47 journalists from 38 foreign media outlets and Chinese media organizations participated in a lantern festival held in Beijing on Wednesday, experiencing the joyous atmosphere of China's National Day holiday while learning about the local culture.

The festival, co-organized by the Information Office of Beijing Municipal Government and the Department of Press, Communication and Public Diplomacy of China's Foreign Ministry, opened to the public on Sept. 15, and will last through Oct. 31. It features nine themed areas and showcases over 200 creative light displays of various sizes, including 75 large and medium-sized lanterns, and about 100,000 decorative lantern pieces.

The lantern festival combines the famous lantern-making technique of Zigong, Sichuan province, with Beijing's traditional customs and modern aesthetics, making it the largest-scale lantern fair in the history of the Chinese capital.

This festival also aims to promote Beijing's night economy. Besides a variety of creative lantern displays, it also includes over 150 food stalls, offering a range of options such as intangible cultural heritage cuisine, state banquet dishes, and trendy popular foods.

To further enrich visitor experience, the organizers arranged various themed activities, including singing and dancing, stage shows, and traditional cultural events. Furthermore, visitors can learn about the stories behind the lights by scanning their QR codes.