Nansha lights up for 2025 Greater Bay Area Lantern Festival

The installation of the classic mythological figure Sun Wukong. [Photo/WeChat account: gz_nanshafabu]

The 2025 Greater Bay Area Lantern Festival opened with a dazzling light-up ceremony in Nansha district, Guangzhou on Jan 22. The event attracted over one million online and in-person visitors eager to witness the breathtaking moment when over 10,000 lanterns illuminated the night sky.

At precisely 6 pm, the light-up countdown culminated in the simultaneous lighting of spectacular displays across three key venues: Nansha Puzhou Garden, Nansha Tianhou Palace, and Nansha Seaside Park. Visitors were enchanted by thematic installations that blended the traditional lion dance and sci-fi aesthetics.

The festival features three main zones and five major themes, as well as over 218 lantern installations created by 1,000 intangible cultural heritage master artisans.

Blending the two intangible cultural heritage elements of Spring Festival and the Zigong Lantern Festival, incorporating the cultural essence of the Bay Area cities and the Belt and Road Initiative, and utilizing modern technology and the art of light and shadow, the event showcases the distinctive development trajectory and cultures of the Bay Area cities, reflecting their pioneering spirit and collaborative ethos.

Beyond the lights, visitors can enjoy a rich program of folk performances, air shows, and culinary delights. The festival, open daily from 3:30 to 10:30 pm until March 30 (closed on Chinese New Year's Eve), offers a unique celebration of unity, culture, and joy for residents and visitors alike.