Nantong lantern show recreates Chinese mythical creatures

Crowds admire lanterns at the Shanghe Yinxiang Block. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Rudong, a county in Jiangsu province's Nantong city, unveiled its first Spring Festival Yuyuan Garden Lantern Show at the Shanghe Yinxiang Block on Jan 27 to welcome the upcoming Lunar New Year.

A girl poses for a photo with a carp-shaped lantern. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Inspired by Shanhaijing, or The Classic of Mountains and Seas, a major source of Chinese mythology that dates back more than 2,000 years, the lantern show features 25 sets of lanterns depicting a variety of fish and dragons, as well as over 1,500 other lanterns.

A dragon dance is performed during the first Spring Festival Yuyuan Garden Lantern Show. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

As a national intangible cultural heritage item in Shanghai, the Yuyuan Garden Lantern Show has grown into one of the most popular and reputed lantern shows in China since its inception in 1995.

Rudong has replicated the renowned lantern show while integrating its local elements such as delicacies and intangible cultural heritage items to the event.

Performers execute a dragon dance during the first Spring Festival Yuyuan Garden Lantern Show. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Local authorities have also arranged more than 100 performances, including dragon dances, lantern parades, and the welcoming of the God of Wealth to entertain tourists during the month-long lantern show.