Colorful lanterns light up festive atmosphere at capital's Central Axis

Dated as early as to the Tang Dynasty (618-907), shows of handmade colored lanterns have been held in Zigong, Sichuan province, as an essential part of the grand celebrations around Spring Festival and Lantern Festival.

The lantern making tradition in Zigong erupts with creativity, producing a variety of combinations in color, technique, shape and style.

This year such vivid lighting presentations are adding vigor to Beijing. Groups of Zigong lanterns are now on show inside and outside the Chinese Traditional Culture Museum, seated along the route of Central Axis. The lighting shows begin from 6 pm to 9 pm every day from Feb 2 to March 9.

The themes of Zigong lantern shows are normally stories and characters from fairy tales, classic literature and folk customs. The lanterns now on at the Chinese Traditional Culture Museum depict dragon, the zodiac creature of the coming Chinese New Year, mythological animals mentioned in Shan Hai Jing (Classic of Mountains and Waters) and dinosaurs — Zigong is known as a trove of dinosaur fossils.