Beijing lights up with the largest lantern festival: Zigong brings its magic to the Chinese capital

This fall, Beijing is set to host its largest lantern festival ever, when the acclaimed Zigong Lantern Festival, originating in Sichuan province, brings its stunning display of traditional Chinese art to the capital.

This event will be held at Beijing Garden Expo Park from September 14 to October 31, 2024, coinciding with the activities of the Mid-Autumn Festival and China’s National Day. In a year that marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, this date will not only be a celebration of culture, but also an event of historical and patriotic significance.

The excellence of the “Lantern Capital of the World”

Zigong, a city located in Sichuan Province in southwest China, is dubbed the “Lantern Capital of the World.” For centuries, this place has been renowned for its exceptional lantern-making skills. This is a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation and is deeply rooted in the cultural history of the region.

Zigong’s heritage in lantern making dates back to the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, periods when lantern festivals became a popular form of entertainment and one of China’s most iconic cultural manifestations.

Craftsmen have perfected the art to harmoniously combine ancient techniques with modern technology, allowing them to create lanterns that are both impressive to the eye and innovative in design and structure. Achieving this combination of tradition and modernity has established Zigong as a world leader in lantern making, and has given the city a reputation for excellence in the art.

The Zigong Lantern Festival has been recognized as part of China’s national intangible cultural heritage. It is an event known for its displays, which feature very intricate and dazzling designs.

At a press conference held by the organizer, Beijing Jingcai Culture Co., Ltd., it was announced that the upcoming event in the Chinese capital will feature more than 200 large-scale lantern installations. These will be spread across nine themed areas spanning a large 600-acre exhibition space within the park.

In addition to celebrating the beauty of Zigong’s craftsmanship, the performances will pursue a different goal this time, which is to break new records, with some of the largest lantern structures ever displayed in the capital.

What sets this festival apart from others is the attention paid to integrating traditional lantern crafts from the Zigong region with Beijing’s cultural elements and history. Organizers say that about 70 percent of the designs are inspired by the capital’s cultural and humanistic classics, creating a unique combination of the two cities’ most prominent features.

The event promises to offer attendees an unprecedented visual experience, highlighting the country’s history and cultural diversity.

In Zigong, the lantern-making process is an art form in itself. Artisans spend months devising and creating these structures, which range from small lanterns to gigantic works of art that can depict historical, mythological, or natural scenes. The structures are handcrafted with great precision and attention to detail, using materials such as bamboo, silk, and paper.

Celebrating 36 years of cultural exchange in Beijing

This year’s festival marks an exciting return to Beijing for the Zigong Lantern Festival. The first Zigong lantern exhibition outside Sichuan took place in 1988 in the Chinese capital’s Beihai Park. At that time, it attracted a large number of visitors and left a deep mark on the city’s memory.

This year’s event, which coincides with the Year of the Dragon, symbolises a 36-year journey of cultural exchange and artistic evolution. This festival is therefore also a celebration of the deep cultural ties that unite Zigong and the Chinese capital.