The iconic Aoyu fish lantern, a 26-meter-long fusion of dragon and fish motifs, has returned to captivate audiences at the 2025 Guangzhou International Light Festival. This luminous installation first gained fame during February's 15th National Games opening ceremony and now dominates the Pearl River skyline through November.
Designed over eight months by a local artist collective, the inflatable artwork symbolizes prosperity in Lingnan culture. Festival organizers note its reappearance on November 16 drew record crowds, with many residents recalling its earlier triumph at this year's National Games.
The current light festival features 120 installations across Guangzhou, but the Aoyu remains the centerpiece. Cultural preservation experts emphasize its significance: "This modern interpretation of our mythical guardian beast bridges tradition and innovation," said Li Wei, a Guangdong folklore researcher.
