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City putting on a dazzling show to celebrate Lantern Festival
By Wu Huixin |
February 21, 2013, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
LANTERN Festival, also called Yuanxiao Festival, is celebrated on the 15th night of the first lunar month, marking the end of Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations.
That night sees the first full moon of the Lunar New Year. This auspicious astronomical phenomenon is the origin of Yuanxiao, which Chinese people have celebrated for more than 2,000 years.
And due to historic factors, Hangzhou locals celebrate Lantern Festival longer than people in other areas.
During the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), the king of Wuyue Kingdom (today's Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Fujian provinces) voluntarily submitted to the Northern Song. This helped the imperial court avoid a war, so the court awarded Wuyue people a five-day holiday.
Thereafter, Wuyue people celebrated Lantern Festival from the 14th to the 18th day of the first lunar month, taking to the streets to admire ornate lanterns and try to guess riddles.
During the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), Hangzhou was the capital of the dynasty, and celebrations for Lantern Festival became grander than ever. Vivid depictions of Yuanxiao scenes can be found in historic documents.
Lantern Festival was also regarded as an ideal time for a lovers' tryst. Zhu Shuzhen, a famous female poet living in Hangzhou during the Song Dynasty, describes how young lovers met in the city streets after nightfall beneath the romantic glow of lanterns.
This year, Lantern Festival is on Sunday - its weekend date making it more convenient for celebrating in a big way.
Here are two Hangzhou spots where visitors can appreciate traditional Lantern Festival celebrations.
Xixi National Wetland Park
Xixi National Wetland Park holds lantern shows every year. As 2013 is the Year of the Snake, this year the theme is "Golden Snake Brings Good Luck."
The organizers combine Xixi's natural environment with folk elements and the concept of "slow life," creating a vibrant and auspicious atmosphere.
Traditional lanterns will be lit from Saturday until Monday at areas including Jiangcun Fair, Fu Causeway, Hezhu Street, the north gate and the south gate.
Lanterns, which come in several varieties according to different themes, are reflected on the water, creating a kaleidoscope of color.
In addition, there are other folk performances scheduled. Classic performances such as Yueju Opera and shadow play are must-see events and Chinese wedding ceremonies also take place. A special performance is the Xixi bamboo hobbyhorse dance.
And if all these attractions weren't enough, plum trees are also in flower in Xixi, considered by many as the best place appreciating plum blossoms of Hangzhou.
Recently, Xixi launched a series of activities on the theme of plum blossoms, including boat trips for viewing blooms along the coast.
Address: 518 Tiamushan Rd
Maojiabu
Maojiabu is hidden among the lush vegetation of the west side of West Lake, far away from the hustling downtown area. It boasts a large number of farmhouse teahouses and hosts a series of activities for Lantern Festival.
Take Bus No. 27 or Y3 and get off in Maojiabu bus station, then walk through the memorial archway at Shangxiang Ancient Road before 9pm on Sunday and sample free rice dumplings offered by roadside teahouses.
From 2pm, a lantern riddle competition takes place beneath the memorial archway.
At 3pm, a storytelling session will be held at Qingxiyuyun Teahouse. Performers wearing traditional gowns will tell stories of ancient Chinese history over two hours.
Between 6:30pm and 9:30pm, 700 lanterns will be lit. They will then be illuminated every evening for a fortnight.
At 7pm, a temporary cinema in the parking lot to the east of the memorial archway will screen blockbuster "Lost in Thailand." If it rains, the cinema will be moved to Qingxiyuyun Teahouse.
Address: Longjing Rd, Maojiabu
That night sees the first full moon of the Lunar New Year. This auspicious astronomical phenomenon is the origin of Yuanxiao, which Chinese people have celebrated for more than 2,000 years.
And due to historic factors, Hangzhou locals celebrate Lantern Festival longer than people in other areas.
During the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), the king of Wuyue Kingdom (today's Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Fujian provinces) voluntarily submitted to the Northern Song. This helped the imperial court avoid a war, so the court awarded Wuyue people a five-day holiday.
Thereafter, Wuyue people celebrated Lantern Festival from the 14th to the 18th day of the first lunar month, taking to the streets to admire ornate lanterns and try to guess riddles.
During the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), Hangzhou was the capital of the dynasty, and celebrations for Lantern Festival became grander than ever. Vivid depictions of Yuanxiao scenes can be found in historic documents.
Lantern Festival was also regarded as an ideal time for a lovers' tryst. Zhu Shuzhen, a famous female poet living in Hangzhou during the Song Dynasty, describes how young lovers met in the city streets after nightfall beneath the romantic glow of lanterns.
This year, Lantern Festival is on Sunday - its weekend date making it more convenient for celebrating in a big way.
Here are two Hangzhou spots where visitors can appreciate traditional Lantern Festival celebrations.
Xixi National Wetland Park
Xixi National Wetland Park holds lantern shows every year. As 2013 is the Year of the Snake, this year the theme is "Golden Snake Brings Good Luck."
The organizers combine Xixi's natural environment with folk elements and the concept of "slow life," creating a vibrant and auspicious atmosphere.
Traditional lanterns will be lit from Saturday until Monday at areas including Jiangcun Fair, Fu Causeway, Hezhu Street, the north gate and the south gate.
Lanterns, which come in several varieties according to different themes, are reflected on the water, creating a kaleidoscope of color.
In addition, there are other folk performances scheduled. Classic performances such as Yueju Opera and shadow play are must-see events and Chinese wedding ceremonies also take place. A special performance is the Xixi bamboo hobbyhorse dance.
And if all these attractions weren't enough, plum trees are also in flower in Xixi, considered by many as the best place appreciating plum blossoms of Hangzhou.
Recently, Xixi launched a series of activities on the theme of plum blossoms, including boat trips for viewing blooms along the coast.
Address: 518 Tiamushan Rd
Maojiabu
Maojiabu is hidden among the lush vegetation of the west side of West Lake, far away from the hustling downtown area. It boasts a large number of farmhouse teahouses and hosts a series of activities for Lantern Festival.
Take Bus No. 27 or Y3 and get off in Maojiabu bus station, then walk through the memorial archway at Shangxiang Ancient Road before 9pm on Sunday and sample free rice dumplings offered by roadside teahouses.
From 2pm, a lantern riddle competition takes place beneath the memorial archway.
At 3pm, a storytelling session will be held at Qingxiyuyun Teahouse. Performers wearing traditional gowns will tell stories of ancient Chinese history over two hours.
Between 6:30pm and 9:30pm, 700 lanterns will be lit. They will then be illuminated every evening for a fortnight.
At 7pm, a temporary cinema in the parking lot to the east of the memorial archway will screen blockbuster "Lost in Thailand." If it rains, the cinema will be moved to Qingxiyuyun Teahouse.
Address: Longjing Rd, Maojiabu
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