Traditional activities have been held across China to welcome the arrival of the Lantern Festival, drawing eager holidaymakers to culturally rich destinations.

中国各地举办传统活动迎接元宵节，吸引众多游客前往文化底蕴深厚的目的地。



Wednesday marks the traditional Chinese Lantern Festival, which falls on the 15th day of the first month of Chinese lunar calendar.

周三正值中国传统的元宵节，按照中国农历，这一天是农历正月十五日。

The lantern festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the first month on the Chinese lunar calendar, marks the end of the New Year celebration. This year, it falls on Wednesday, or Feb 12.

元宵节，在农历正月十五日庆祝，标志着新年庆祝活动的结束。今年元宵节恰逢周三，即2月12日。

In Xianyou County of Putian City in east China's Fujian Province, a grand dragon lantern parade with the participation of over 1,000 people was held on Monday. Lion dances, drone performances and fireworks were also on display in the county in anticipation of the Lantern Festival.

在位于中国东部福建省莆田市的仙游县，周一举办了盛大的千人龙灯游行。该县还举办了舞狮、无人机表演和烟花秀，以迎接元宵节的到来。

"Experiencing the celebration in person feels amazing. I think it is really boisterous and thrilling," said Zheng Hehong, a tourist from north China's Hebei Province.

“亲身参与庆祝活动真是太棒了。我觉得非常热闹和刺激，”来自中国北部河北省的游客郑和鸿说。

Travelers also flocked to Dalian City of northeast China's Liaoning Province for the holiday, where a special folk activity known as water lantern releasing was held on Monday.

游客们还纷纷前往中国东北部辽宁省的大连市度假，当地周一举办了特殊的民俗活动——放水灯。

Nightfall saw the release of nearly 400 delicate water lanterns, each made with eco-friendly degradable paper. Celebratory firecrackers went off over the water as the lanterns sailed into the dark, bearing the wishes of their senders.

夜幕降临，近400盏精美的水灯被释放，每盏水灯都是用环保可降解纸制成的。当水灯驶入黑暗中时，水面上燃起了庆祝的鞭炮，承载着放飞者的愿望。

"When I was a little girl, I used to release water lanterns with my family. Now I've grown up, I take my child to release water lanterns. This is quite meaningful," said Yu Wenping, a local resident. The lantern show in Mizhi Town of southwest China's Yunnan Province has a history of more than 300 years.

“我小时候经常和家人一起放水灯。现在我长大了，我带着孩子来放水灯。这很有意义，”当地居民于文平说。位于中国西南部云南省的米脂镇，元宵节灯会已有300多年的历史。

Its performers are locals from various villages. Thousands participated, ranging from three years old to over 80, drawn to traditional performances including lion dances, traditional lantern displays and folk songs.

表演者来自各个村庄的当地人。从三岁到八十多岁的数千人参与了包括舞狮、传统灯笼展示和民歌在内的传统表演。

"The show to celebrate the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first month on the Chinese lunar calendar has been a tradition for generations. Like my family, from the old to the young, we all can dance for the show," said Li Dexiang, a local villager.

“在农历正月十五庆祝元宵节的演出已经传承了好几代。就像我家一样，无论老少，我们都可以上台跳舞，”当地村民李德祥说。

                                      素材来源：iYuba