Shanghai’s Iconic Yuyuan Garden Illuminated and Ready for Chinese New Year

The Yuyuan Garden Lantern Fair, one of the most popular Chinese New Year celebrations in Shanghai, began on Sunday, marking the 29th dazzling display of the national-level intangible cultural heritage. This year, the fair continues the theme of the Classics of Mountains and Seas, with a focus on the seas, highlighting dragons and mythical marine creatures for the approaching Year of the Dragon. The lantern installation on Ninghui Road, known as Fish and Dragons Dance Overnight, showcases a colorful school of fish forming the shape of a dragon, decorated with traditional Chinese architectural elements. At the Garden’s Central Square, a giant yellow dragon encircles a blue sphere lifted by waves, symbolizing protection and growth. In the crowd, many people were born in the past years of the dragon, and many locals used to live near the Yuyuan Garden. In addition, there are also traditional cultural performances in the Yuyuan Garden. Admission tickets are required for the local event between the Spring Festival - which falls on February 10 this year - and February 25, priced at 80 yuan (US$11.1) for adults and 50 yuan (US$6.95) for children.