Lantern fairs brighten Chinese heritage

Sichuan cities merge tradition with cutting-edge technology, bringing novel experiences to visitors, Huang Zhiling and Peng Chao report in Chengdu.

Min Liuzhou, a primary school student, was pleasantly surprised to spot a certain book during his recent visit to Zigong, Sichuan province.

Unlike the other books in his classroom, this one is a lantern shaped like a book that illuminates the city's lantern fair.

The 10-year-old from Chengdu, Sichuan, is one of the millions of people impressed by the novelties found at this year's lantern festival in Zigong.

The fair began on Jan 17 and ends on May 5, drawing visitors from across China with its gigantic traditional lanterns, which feature the rice harvest, prosperity and auspicious figures found in Chinese mythology.

The event arouses enthusiasm from young visitors like Liuzhou as it pays close attention to the integration and interaction of technology and culture. It uses cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence to produce AI mechanical dinosaur lantern groups, and introduces mobile game IPs like Honor of Kings to create a series of lantern groups.