As the Spring Festival's grand finale, the Zigong International Dinosaur Lantern Festival is reinventing tradition for the digital age. Located in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Zigong – dubbed the 'City of a Thousand Lights' – has launched its first 'story + gamification' lantern spectacle, merging physical installations with augmented reality experiences to captivate Gen Z audiences.
The festival's new approach transforms ancient lantern-making techniques – practiced locally for over 1,000 years – into interactive quests using mobile apps. Visitors navigate illuminated dragon sculptures and cosmic-themed displays while solving narrative puzzles, creating shareable moments perfect for social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
'This fusion respects our cultural roots while speaking to global youth culture,' explains local artisan Li Wei, whose family has crafted lanterns for generations. Recent data shows 68% of this year's attendees are under 35, with international visitors tripling since 2019.
The event coincides with rising global interest in experiential tourism, particularly among digital nomads seeking cultural immersion. Sustainability remains central, with 90% of materials being repurposed from previous festivals.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
