Lantern Festival
The 15th day of the first lunar month โ the grand finale of the Spring Festival
๐ History & Origins
The Lantern Festival, also known as Shangyuan Festival, Xiao Zhengyue, Yuanxi, or simply the Festival of Lights, is the first major festival after the Spring Festival, falling on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. The Lantern Festival originated in the Han Dynasty. Legend has it that Emperor Wen of Han established the festival to celebrate the suppression of the "Rebellion of the Lรผs." During the Eastern Han period, Emperor Ming, a promoter of Buddhism, ordered that lanterns be lit in palaces and temples on the night of the fifteenth to honor the Buddha, which gradually gave rise to the folk customs of lighting and admiring lanterns. By the Tang Dynasty, the lantern displays had developed into grand festivals, and during the Song Dynasty they reached their peak, with lantern shows lasting five days. The main activities of the Lantern Festival are admiring lanterns, solving lantern riddles, and eating yuanxiao (tangyuan, or sweet glutinous rice balls), all symbolizing reunion and happiness. This day marks the official end of the Spring Festival celebrations, as people bid farewell to the New Year amidst the glow of lanterns and prepare to return to work and daily life.
๐ Traditional Customs
What to do
- โฆAdmiring decorative lanterns
- โฆSolving lantern riddles
- โฆDragon and lion dances
- โฆWalking on stilts
- โฆReleasing sky lanterns (Kongming lanterns)
- โฆWalking to ward off illness (women walking together at night)
What to eat
โ ๏ธ Things to note
- !Do not tear your clothes (symbolizes losing wealth)
- !Do not kill animals
- !Avoid crying (considered inauspicious)
โ๏ธ Travel Impact
The Lantern Festival is not a public holiday, but many cities hold large-scale lantern shows and celebrations that attract a great number of visitors. If the Lantern Festival falls on a weekend, scenic areas experience a noticeable increase in foot traffic. The most spectacular lantern shows take place in ancient cities and towns across China, making it an excellent opportunity to experience traditional Chinese culture. The Chunyun travel rush has largely ended by this time, so transport pressure eases.
๐ก Tips to Avoid Pitfalls
Check local lantern show times and locations in advance
Popular lantern shows draw dense crowds โ mind your safety and belongings
Some lantern shows require advance tickets or reservations
Temperatures drop at night โ dress warmly
๐ Recommended Experiences
Qinhuai River, Nanjing
Cruise along the river admiring lanterns and solving riddles
Xi'an City Wall
Tang Paradise lantern show
Tai'erzhuang Ancient Town
Grand Canal lantern festival
Yu Garden, Shanghai
Yu Garden lantern show