Beijing dazzled residents and visitors alike on Thursday as thousands of lanterns lit up the city to celebrate the annual Lantern Festival, officially concluding the Lunar New Year season. The 15th-day lunar calendar event, rooted in Han Dynasty traditions, saw historic sites like the Forbidden City and modern shopping districts transformed into glowing wonderlands.
CGTN's Bi Ran captured families bonding over intricate paper lamps shaped like dragons and zodiac animals, while street vendors served sticky rice balls (tangyuan) – a symbolic food representing unity. “This festival bridges our past and future,” said one Beijing resident interviewed. “The lights remind us to carry hope into the new year.”
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
