One of the most anticipated entertainment events of the year, the annual Yuyuan Garden Lantern Show will begin on December 26 and will last for 52 days, longer than previous editions, so as to allow more people to enjoy the colorful scenes.

The lantern festival, which was included in China's list of national intangible cultural heritages in 2008, is a staple in Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations. It is a tradition in Chinese culture to admire lanterns and catch cultural performances during the Chinese New Year, which will next take place on Jan 22, 2023.

In Shanghai, the most iconic venue to do this is Yuyuan Garden, a major scenic spot in downtown Huangpu district which has been holding lantern shows for 28 years.

The latest edition of the show is inspired by the Shan Hai Jing, or The Classic of Mountains and Seas, a major source of Chinese mythology that dates back more than 2,000 years ago. The work to design these lanterns started as early as in April, according to the organizers.

The annual Yuyuan Garden Lantern Show will begin on December 26 and will last for 52 days. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

During the show, a large collection of lanterns depicting animals, dragon, flowers and rare plants mentioned in ancient tales will be showcased at the Jiuquqiao area, or zigzag bridge, in Yuyuan Garden.

Another cluster of lanterns will be positioned within the Center Plaza and themed on the Year of the Rabbit. Here, visitors will find a huge white rabbit flying to the moon palace as it turns its head to look at Kun, an enormous fish that could change into a roc, another magical animal mentioned in the Shan Hai Jing.

Meanwhile, the Center Plaza and Gold Plaza will also be filled with a multitude of auspicious animal lanterns.

Admission to the lantern festival is free except for the following periods: Dec 31 to Jan 2, Jan 22 to 28, and Feb 1 to 5. Tickets can be purchased online or at the booths around the Yuyuan Garden. Prices range from 30 to 80 yuan.