A magnificent lantern festival rounded off in Datong, Shanxi province on Feb 19, with a barrage of folk performances that attracted tens of thousands of tourists.

As the grand finale of the annual cultural extravaganza, which began on Jan 20 and attracted 3 million tourists, the performances consisted of local dramas, dances and folk music that demonstrated the vigor of the city and delighted spectators.

The festival, with dazzling cultural performances and local specialties, attracted visitors from around the country over the past month, and produced over 400 stories on various media platforms.

"The event promoted the cultural influence of Datong," said a senior official of the government. "We are committed to holding the biggest lantern show in North China and make it the brand leader in the state."

Datong, the second largest city in Shanxi province, is famous for its long history spanning 2,300 years and over 300 important cultural heritage sites.

A dragon dance entertains a large crowd. [Photo/sxrb.com]