Lantern Festival celebrations light up Zhangjiajie with tradition, technology

The rhythm of drums and lively dragon and lion dances marked the start of this year's Lantern Festival celebrations on Tuesday in Zhangjiajie, Hunan province, as the city transformed into a stage for tradition to meet innovation.

A highlight of the morning's opening ceremony was the debut of a robot troupe. Dressed in traditional ethnic costumes, the robots moved in perfect synchronization alongside local street dancers.

Following the ceremony, a grand parade wound through the city streets. More than 50 performance groups and over 1,000 participants showcased the region's cultural heritage, including Huadeng Opera performances from the Tujia ethnic group.

In the five main squares across the city, lantern riddle games offered offline participation and live-streamed interactions throughout the day, giving attendees the chance to win vouchers and prizes.

This year's celebration blended time-honored folk customs with modern technology, while also inviting international visitors to experience the Chinese Lantern Festival culture, according to organizers of the event.

To ensure that international guests enjoyed their visit, organizers distributed 200 event guides to hotels, scenic spots, and shops.