Photo/Guangzhou Daily
Lantern Festival, which falls on February 26 this year, is an important part of the Spring Festival and marks the official end of the long festivity. On the 15th day of the first lunar month, Lantern Festival usually brings family members together to enjoy sweet dumplings and various folk celebrations.
Guangzhou has prepared a wide array of activities for citizens and visitors to get involved in the festive atmosphere and traditional Chinese customs.
Photo/"中国广州发布" WeChat account
A grand carnival showcasing Cantonese culture, the 2021 Yuexiu Temple Fair opens today and will run through March 4, adopting both online and offline celebrations.
Photo/Guangzhou Daily
Offline events including Chinese painting exhibitions and photograph shows are scheduled at the Yuexiu Culture and Art Center (越秀区文化艺术中心). "5G+VR live broadcast" is the highlight of the event this year, enabling internet users to tour renowned scenic spots and cultural venues in Guangzhou at home.
Guessing lantern riddles is one of the most important traditional activities for the festival. Inspired by Chinese idioms, literature, folklore references and a lot more, the special word-playing game challenges curious minds and tests one's knowledge. This year, lantern riddles of the fair are moved online and prizes will be given to those who get the right answers.
Photo/Guangzhou Daily
A prize-winning Q&A session also is staged, named "Cantonese Twelve Shi Chen" (广府十二时辰) (ancient Chinese divided one day into 12 Shi Chen, each of which is equivalent to two hours nowadays). Participants are required to visit Yuexiu's historical and cultural venues on site and unveil their secrets to complete an online Q&A session related to knowledge of traditional Cantonese culture.
Scan the QR code to access the Temple Fair and start the tour. Play interesting lantern riddle games, explore cultural venues and more.
Photo, gif via "安华汇" WeChat account
Spreading over 400 square meters with 28 booths, the first sakura-themed temple fair of Baiyun district is welcoming tourists at Anhua Mall. Running through March 7, the 10-day event sets up six distinctive zones, such as the Blessing Wall and grant sakura trees for photographing. People can also learn to make lanterns and Tangyuan（汤圆）— sweet dumplings— in Do-It-By-Yourself (DIY) activities.
Transportation: Metro Line 3, Baiyun Dadaobei station, Exit C
To celebrate the festival, Guangzhou will be illuminated by a cascade of colors through dazzling light shows staged across the city.
Canton Tower, one of the city's landmarks, will be lit and wow the public with the "world's topmost lantern riddles" event, inviting visitors to guess the riddles presented on the tower body and win free tickets to the sightseeing spot.
Stunning light displays will also adorn the facades of 24 high-rise buildings along the northern bank of the Pearl River.
Photos/"广州花都发布" WeChat account
Liwanhu Park (荔湾湖公园) is to stage radiant music fountain shows, taking tourists onto a journey to dive into traditional Xiguan cultures and customs. Sparkling illuminations will also be seen at the Hongshan village in Timian town, Huadu district (花都梯面镇红山村景区) to create a fairy world for tourists.
Author & editor: Becky