A 15-meter-long aoyu lantern – its scales shimmering with LED lights – has become the crown jewel of Datong's 2026 Lantern Festival, drawing record crowds to Shanxi Province's ancient capital. The hybrid creature, combining a dragon's commanding presence with a fish's fluid grace, appears to swim through the night sky above 14th-century Ming Dynasty walls, creating an otherworldly spectacle amplified by social media shares.
Local artisans spent three months constructing the kinetic installation using silk, bamboo, and eco-friendly materials. Festival director Liu Wei explains: "The aoyu represents China's cultural DNA – it's where mythology meets craftsmanship. This year's design particularly resonates as people seek auspicious symbols amid global uncertainties."
