A New Year lantern festival at Qingxiu Mountain Scenic Area in Nanning, southwest China, has turned the hillside into a maze of light and colour, with visitors pausing to pose and soak up the festive atmosphere. The displays use traditional symbolism and playful design to express hopes for a bountiful year and shared joy.

Highlights include God of Wealth Avenue, a sweeping dragon-shaped installation framed by a sequence of archways; a “Twin Phoenixes in Harmony” zone that blends ornamental silk balls and drum motifs into a jubilant tableau; and a Dream Castle area that draws on mushroom houses and unicorn imagery to create a fairytale setting for children. A Bountiful Harvest section pairs oversized fruit motifs with fanciful plants and cute creature figures, making it a favourite among families.

Blending traditional customs with a hint of futuristic staging, the lantern fair offers a lively, family-friendly way to celebrate the Spring Festival. Organisers say the event aims to provide residents and visitors with a festive space to gather, take photographs, and create New Year memories.