Let there be lots of light

Updated: 2014-02-09 08:39

By Wang Wenlan and Zou Hong(China Daily)

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 Let there be lots of light

Visitors' ear-to-ear smiles match perfectly with the splendid colors and lights at the lantern festival. Wang Wenlan / China Daily

More than a dozen gardens spring to life with color and festivity at the Zigong International Dinosaur Lantern Festival. Wang Wenlan and Zou Hong capture the scene in Zigong, Sichuan province.

The Zigong International Dinosaur Lantern Festival is ongoing in Zigong, Southwest China's Sichuan province. This is the 20th anniversary of the festival, comprising 119 large and medium-size lantern installments in 14 gardens. The Zigong lantern festival has been held since the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The remote city is the originator of the Chinese lantern festivals and is called "Lantern Town in the South Kingdom". Lanterns get more and more elaborate each year and promote tourism in the city.

 Let there be lots of light

The three-month-long lantern festival is the joint effort of more than 300 companies and 50,000 working staff members. Each night it attracts thousands of visitors. Zou Hong / China Daily

 Let there be lots of light

It's a successful test to infuse lantern techniques with the art of Sichuan Opera, showing the delicacy of the opera's face painting. Zou Hong / China Daily

 Let there be lots of light

The fusion of lights, pond and smoke creates a fairytale water-painting landscape and a bridge leads visitors deep into the scene. Wang Wenlan / China Daily

 Let there be lots of light

The lantern of carp crossing the dragon gate has the auspicious meaning of achieving high rank and getting to a destination. Zou Hong / China Daily

(China Daily 02/09/2014 page6)