Nanjing's historic Laomendong district has begun shimmering with early lantern displays as the 1,700-year-old Qinhuai Lantern Festival enters its final preparation phase for the 2026 Spring Festival. Workers are completing installations along the Qinhuai River banks, where intricate silk-and-bamboo creations already cast a warm golden hue over walkways frequented by early visitors.
This year's event marks the first full-scale celebration since the festival's recognition as a national intangible cultural heritage, featuring both traditional zodiac-themed designs and modern LED installations. Cultural preservation experts note the festival's enduring role in maintaining lunar new year traditions while adapting to contemporary aesthetics.
With Spring Festival travel expected to peak in late January, tourism officials report a 40% increase in hotel bookings compared to 2025, signaling strong domestic and overseas interest in China's cultural celebrations following recent travel policy optimizations.
