Ready to light up your screen? 🏮 Dive into Beijing's colorful lantern legacy, from ancient alleyways to modern masterpieces.
Also known as "dengcai" or "huadeng," these vibrant lanterns have brightened China's Spring Festival, Qixi Festival, Mid-Autumn and the Lantern Festival. Each glow tells a story of joy, prosperity and community spirit.
The magic of Beijing's lanterns shines brightest in Dengshikou—the "Mouth of the Lantern Market." Back in the Ming and Qing dynasties, streets here were a sea of reds, golds and greens, alive with flickering lanterns. It was the ultimate festive vibe! 🎉
Today, Beijing lantern art is a national intangible cultural heritage of China, blending painting, paper molding, embroidery, carving, paper-cutting and calligraphy. Think of it as a creative mash-up where traditional crafts team up for a glow-up!
Meet Liu Shaobai, one of the torchbearers of this artform. Trained by Li Banghua—an inheritor of imperial palace lantern-making skills—Liu is all about innovation. He's teaching new generations, hosting workshops and adding fresh twists to age-old techniques, ensuring these lanterns keep shining for years to come.
Whether you're strolling through a festival or snapping pics for your Insta, Beijing's lantern art is a must-see. It's a reminder that even in our fast-paced world, a little light can spark big connections. ✨
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
