Dazzling lights illuminate Shandong through Spring Festival

Caoxian county – located in Heze city in East China's Shandong province – transformed itself into a picturesque wonderland during the Spring Festival, with vibrant lights adorning every corner, creating a festive and joyful atmosphere for residents.

As night fell, the main roads in the Caoxian county urban area lit up with brilliant colors and decorations. Festival lanterns complemented the illuminated landscapes, filling the air with a strong Chinese New Year ambiance. In Caoxian County People's Park, clusters of colorful lights adorned trees and greenery, forming a dazzling display of lights. Red lanterns decorated the entire square, attracting hordes of folks to step out of their homes and enjoy the breathtaking scenes of the illuminated night sky.

This bridge dazzles in the night, shimmering and sparkling with an array of colorful lights. [Photo by Wang Meng and Zhang Han for chinadaily.com.cn]

According to the local authorities, following the directives of the county committee and government, Caoxian county standardized the lighting on various roads in the urban area this year.

Noteworthy installations included 95 sets of octagonal lanterns along the midsection of Qinghao Road, replacing 90 Chinese lantern bases. Qingdao Road featured 162 sets of lanterns, while Yingbin Avenue boasted 60 sets of festive lanterns. Additionally, the Australia Road intersection and the south side of Bayi Road Park was adorned with spherical lights.

The brilliance extended beyond the urban area, as various towns in the county contributed to lighting up the paths for folks returning home. For example, in Sunlaojia town, along Zhuangqing Road, a stunning display of lanterns, meteor showers and colorful lights illuminated the surroundings, bringing a thick festive atmosphere to every corner.

"So far, a total of seven kilometers have been illuminated, with 13,000 meters of light strings and over 3,000 decorations – creating a rich festive atmosphere that allows the entire town's residents to joyfully celebrate the New Year," said Dou Xianpeng, a publicity officer in Sunlaojia town.

Overall, the lighting project was widely said to have lifted the spirts of people, with residents expressing their satisfaction at the prosperous and vibrant scene. "The city looks beautiful and the mood of the people is also cheerful," commented Li Guangju, a local resident. (Edited by Zhou Yunlai)