The Lantern Festival in Beijing has transformed the city’s famed parks into vibrant hubs of celebration, particularly this year as the festival coincides with a weekend. Iconic destinations like the Summer Palace are teeming with visitors eager to partake in the festivities that range from enjoying the early bloom of spring flowers to engaging in traditional activities like lantern making and finger painting.
This year, the city’s park management center has organized 20 events themed around the Year of the Loong, drawing crowds eager to experience puppet shows, lantern displays, and the festive atmosphere that marks the conclusion of the Chinese New Year period. The Lantern Festival, observed on the 15th day of the first lunar month, is celebrated with lantern viewings, riddle-solving games, and a variety of cultural performances, bringing together families and friends to enjoy sweet rice dumplings and the spectacle of lanterns brightening the night.
Beijing’s parks, renowned for their cultural significance and natural splendor, are prime locations for Lantern Festival activities. The Summer Palace, Beihai Park, and Fragrant Hills are offering unique cultural experiences in their renowned gardens, such as Deheyuan, Yong’an Temple, and Zhiyuanzhai.
At the Summer Palace, visitors have the opportunity to engage in festival-specific art projects, including crafting loong lanterns and exploring ancient architectural paintings through interactive activities. Beihai Park’s Yong’an Temple entices guests with lanterns filled with puzzles to solve, while Fragrant Hills Park presents lanterns from various dynasties at Zhiyuanzhai, alongside engaging riddle and quiz activities.
The recent snowfall added a picturesque quality to the parks, accentuating the beauty of early spring blooms at locations like the China National Botanical Garden and Yuyuantan Park, where visitors have been enjoying the unique experience of strolling through snow in search of plum blossoms.
Indoor flower exhibitions further amplify the Lantern Festival’s spirit, with Fragrant Hills Park hosting a show at the Songlin Restaurant featuring a variety of flowers, including camellias and orchids. Similarly, Zhongshan Park has curated a display of plum blossoms, primroses, and azaleas at the Tanghuawu pavilion, showcasing seasonal blooms like amaryllis and cymbidium.
These parks are not just sites of natural and architectural beauty but also serve as venues for experiencing traditional folk customs, ensuring that the Lantern Festival remains a deeply cultural and enriching celebration for all visitors.
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