Intl light festival to radiate in Guangzhou

The seventh Guangzhou International Light Festival is set to illuminate the city from Oct 27 in the lead up to World Cities Day, which falls on Oct 31.

First held in 2011, the annual festival has become one of the world's top lighting events on par with the Lyon Festival of Lights in France and the Australian light festival Vivid Sydney.

In 2015, the festival was selected as a special cultural event for the International Year of Light, a United Nations activity aiming to raise awareness of the achievements of light science and its applications, and its importance to humankind.

Water curtain projection shows showing Guangzhou's economy, environment and culture will be switched on at Guangzhou Opera House during the Guangzhou International Light Festival. [Photo/ycwb.com]

This year's event is themed "Silk Road Legend" and consists of five main parts which are Light of the City, Light of the Sea, Light of the Economy, Light of Technology and Light of the Future. Visitors will be able to gain a better understanding of the cultural stories of Guangzhou as the birthplace of the ancient Maritime Silk Road via a wide range of lighting works.

Highlights of this year's light festival include an immersive lighting show featuring holographic laser projection technology and artistic performances, as well as water curtain projection shows at Guangzhou Opera House.

Guangzhou's iconic building Canton Tower will stage a great light show during the seventh Guangzhou International Light Festival. [Photo/ycwb.com]