[Photo from en.gotohz.com]

Lantern Festival is an important traditional Chinese festival, closely related to the Spring Festival and marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations. Its time-honored history can be traced back to the Warring States Period (475-221 BC). The Lantern Festival attracts Chines and foreign tourists alike due to its intense cultural atmosphere and abundant activities.

The Lantern Festival in Hangzhou offers many interesting activities such as appreciating colorful lanterns and guessing lantern riddles. On this auspicious night, the finest and most ornamental lanterns are exhibited along the streets of Hangzhou. These lanterns are exquisite and are usually shaped like animals such as Chinese dragons, lions, and horses. Under these lanterns hang plenty of slips with riddles on them. People who work out these riddles can win gifts, and of course, other people’s admiration.

Time: The fifteenth night of the first lunar month

Venue: Wulin Square, He Fang Street, West Lake