Beijing's Yanqing district comes alive as mythical lantern festival blazes through the winter night

The "Southern Heaven Gate" installation glows at the Beijing Expo Park in Yanqing district, part of the ongoing lantern festival, Jan. 31, 2026. [Photo by Wan Lina/China.org.cn]

The centerpiece of the festival is a majestic "Southern Heaven Gate." Standing at a staggering 12 meters high, the installation is a testament to the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Zigong, China's capital of lantern craftsmanship. Constructed using traditional bamboo-framing techniques and enhanced by modern LED optics, the gate appears as though it is lifted directly from the silver screen.