Guiyang, the capital city of Guizhou province, opened its annual lantern show and temple fair at Southwest International Trade City in Guanshanhu district on Jan 26.

Hosted by local government, the event is held every year as a grand cultural activity greeting Spring Festival, and has proved the most popular event in Guiyang, having attracted more than eight million participants since it was first held in 2011.

A design sketch of the 2018 Guiyang Spring Festival Lantern Show and Temple Fair. The 29-day event opens at Southwest International Trade City in Guanshanhu district on Jan 26. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

This year's fair, running from Jan 26 to March 2, consists of a lighting ceremony, lantern show, temple fair and interactive activities. It has improved in three major ways since last year: larger areas, richer cultural connotations and multi-ethnic features of Guizhou.

During the temple fair, participants are able to watch wonderful performances, taste delicious food and shop for the Chinese New Year.

A dragon-shaped lantern with a length of 90 meters, a width of 25 meters and a height of 15 meters will be illuminated to mark the opening of the lantern show, a visual treat for fair-goers.