Zigong Dinosaur Lantern Festival

　　Introduction to the Zigong Dinosaur Lantern Festival     Chinese lanterns have enjoyed fame throughout the ages; the Zigong Lantern Festival has long been renowned. The hardworking and ingenious people of Zigong have not only gifted the world with their unparalleled well salt technology but also contributed their magnificent lantern craftsmanship to humanity. Among the widespread New Year lantern festivals across China through the centuries, the Zigong Lantern Festival stands out, embodying the essence of Chinese lantern culture and earning the title “No.1 Lantern in the World.” This has made this national historical and cultural city famous worldwide as the “Thousand-Year Salt Capital,” “Hometown of Dinosaurs,” and “Lantern City of the South.” The New Year lantern festivals in the Zigong region have a long history and distinctive characteristics. Since the Tang Dynasty, there has been a tradition of lighting lanterns during the New Year, which by the Qing Dynasty had evolved into events such as “Lion Lantern Fairs” and “Lantern Pole Festivals.” By the early 20th century, the festival lantern parade had gradually taken shape, along with activities such as releasing sky lanterns, dragon lantern dancing, lion lantern performances, and floral lantern celebrations. This has developed into a grand festive event that encompasses the local customs and traditions, renowned far and wide.

　　 Zigong, Sichuan