Aiguo Road lantern installments draw crowds with immersive New Year experiences

The Lantern installments on the Aiguo Road returned on Feb. 1, bringing a month-long celebration of light, culture, and family reunion to the city. Running through March 3, this year's event features four themed "check in spots" and a diverse lineup of interactive activities designed to capture the warmth and joy of the Chinese Lunar New Year.

One of the most popular attractions is the "Wish Upon the Lantern" zone, where visitors write down blessings for the Year of the Horse, messages for loved ones, or hopes for themselves. As organizers describe it, every heartfelt wish is witnessed by the glow of the lanterns.

At the "Lucky Draw for a Good Year" station, festival goers can pull a fortune stick to unlock their exclusive luck for 2026, adding a playful sense of anticipation to the holiday atmosphere.

Young visitors are gravitating toward the MBTI themed zone, which offers lively gathering spaces for extroverts and quiet, cozy corners for introverts. The design encourages guests to find a place that feels like their own, making personality-based interaction part of the fun.

The "Fortune Wall" has also become a social media favorite. Covered with humorous and hopeful "get rich mantras," it reflects the public's aspirations for a better life and their affection for New Year traditions.

Beyond the check in points, the lantern event offers a rich cultural experience for families. Visitors can stroll beneath thousands of illuminated lanterns, capturing moments of reunion under the night sky. Children can join DIY workshops to craft New Year trinkets, while elders enjoy traditional performances including intangible heritage fish lantern displays, classic Cantonese opera, and festive lion dances. Together, these activities revive cherished memories of Chinese Lunar New Year customs and create new ones for the next generation.