Beijing residents and visitors are marveling at a striking new landmark this Lunar New Year – a 16-meter-long illuminated horse sculpture dominating the city center. Unveiled this week to mark the 2026 Year of the Horse, the glowing installation has become an instant symbol of festive energy as the Chinese mainland celebrates its most important traditional holiday.
The artwork's dynamic posture and intricate light patterns, visible until midnight daily, draw nightly crowds of photographers and families. Cultural officials describe it as a 'modern interpretation of traditional zodiac symbolism,' combining cutting-edge LED technology with hand-painted ceramic elements showcasing Uygur craftsmanship from Xinjiang.
Tourism authorities report a 22% increase in visitor numbers compared to last year's Spring Festival period, with many travelers specifically citing the sculpture as a key attraction. Business districts surrounding the installation have extended holiday operating hours to accommodate increased foot traffic.
This creation embodies our renewed confidence in traditional culture while embracing technological progress,
said Beijing Cultural Bureau spokesperson Zhang Wei during Thursday's lighting ceremony.
With cross-strait travel resuming normal patterns this year, the installation has also attracted significant attention from residents of Taiwan visiting mainland relatives. Social media platforms show over 380,000 posts tagged #YearOfTheHorde since the sculpture's debut.
