Huangyuan Lanterns

Huangyuan Lanterns

Huangyuan lanterns are a national intangible cultural heritage.

　　Huangyuan lanterns are a traditional art form originating from Chengguan Town, Huangyuan County, Qinghai Province. Their history can be traced back to the Jiaqing and Daoguang eras of the Qing Dynasty. At that time, merchants from inland areas gathered in Huangyuan, prompting local shops to create name signs to attract customers. These signs were fitted with candles that illuminated brilliantly at night. Later, the name signs became more and more exquisitely crafted, evolving into ornamental lanterns of various shapes and designs mounted on bases. The large, street-spanning lantern displays were developed based on these individual lanterns.

　　Cultural Highlight: Huangyuan lanterns originated in the mid-Qing Dynasty and are found in Chengguan Town, Huangyuan County, Qinghai Province. Their history can be traced back to the Jiaqing and Daoguang eras, boasting a legacy of over 200 years. Initially, shop owners created illuminated advertising signs with candles inside to attract nighttime customers. These gradually evolved into elaborate, base-mounted lanterns featuring diverse patterns and styles, some even spanning across streets. They were displayed during the Lantern Festival, becoming a major cultural highlight in Huangyuan County. In 2006, Huangyuan lanterns were included in the first batch of China’s National Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

　　Craftsmanship: The frames of Huangyuan lanterns are made from high-quality wood, with intricately carved edges. They come in various shapes such as rectangles, saddle shapes, and fans, typically measuring around 2 meters in length, 0.6 meters in height, and 0.4 meters in thickness. Each lantern has 3 to 6 panels on the front and back, each painted with a unique design—historical figures, legends, landscapes, flowers, or birds—chosen by the merchant. The images are often interconnected. Originally lit with candles, when illuminated at night, rows of these lanterns create a dazzling display along the streets of Huangyuan. This tradition continued through the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican period, supported by local chambers of commerce and the Fire God Society, with annual lantern exhibitions held during the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month.