Chongqing Lijia Lantern Festival: New Year Lights by the Lake

As dusk falls gently over the Mountain City, Longtanghu Park transforms into a 50,000-square-meter fantastic wonderland. Kicking off with the theme "Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate," the Chongqing Lijia Lantern Festival blends Zigong's intangible cultural heritage lantern craftsmanship with modern light and shadow technology, unfolding a dazzling feast of Chinese romance along both sides of the lake.

The 100-meter-long main lantern "Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate" coils across the bridge, its lifelike leaping posture intertwining with the reflection on the lake to form a magnificent "water galaxy." The 1,500-meter lakeside trail connects six themed fantasy zones: the fairy lanterns in "Heavenly Palace Wonderland" exude gentle charm, the light and shadow of vines in "Glowing Flower Path" wrap around visitors, mythical beast lanterns like nine-tailed foxes and phoenixes shine brightly, and the Chinese zodiac lanterns hide poetic allusions—every step feels like treading through a virtual-real integrated Eastern dream. In the traditional Chinese-style scene of red walls reflecting snow, carved railings and jade-like structures complement the sky full of lanterns, turning every casual shot into a New Year-themed blockbuster brimming with atmosphere.

The festival holds diverse surprises: thousands of drones streak across the night sky to form a flowing galaxy, the lantern-lighting ceremony of ancient-style cruise ships unfolds the lights like a scrolling painting, fire dance carnivals and dragon-phoenix flying shows take turns, with additional intangible cultural heritage performances enhancing the charm during the Spring Festival. Over 2,000 free fish lanterns are available for collection, the non-powered park is perfect for parent-child fun, and the centralized arrangement of lanterns allows the elderly to wander comfortably without fatigue.

No need to wait for the wind; the New Year flavor blooms right at the lantern festival. Walk hand in hand with elders and children, holding lanterns, watch the lights mirror smiling faces, and listen to laughter mingling with the tide. Let the warmth of intangible cultural heritage, the splendor of technology, and the affection of family reunion weave into the most authentic Chongqing New Year. This light and shadow feast steeped in Chinese romance is waiting for your arrival—embed the wish for years of joy into every beam of light.