How to celebrate Lantern Festival in Beijing

Image: Chris Suderman

All the tips and traditions to make the most of this year's Lantern Festival

Arriving on the fifteenth day of Chinese New Year, and the eve of its first full moon, the Lantern Festival (Yuánxiāojié, 元宵节) marks the end of Spring Festival celebrations. Find out more about it here and how to make the most of the lanterns in Beijing. 

What is it?

Image: Elizabeth Phung

It’s a spectacular show of illuminations, as people hang lanterns, release them into the sky or float them on water, symbolically ‘letting go’ of their old selves in the new year and celebrating as the darkness of winter begins to fade.

Where can I experience it?

Image: Michael Coghlan

Expect to see lanterns hanging pretty much everywhere you look on Tuesday 19, as people set up their own personal illuminations. On the larger scale, Longtan Park is home to an impressive public display centred around its lake, while the entire Shichahai area, particularly Houhai and Prince Gong’s Mansion, is a popular spot – even more colourful than your average karaoke bar-lit night at the lake.

 Longtan Park 8 Longtanhu Lu, Dongcheng district.

 Prince Gong’s Mansion 17 Qianhai Xi Jie, Xicheng district. 

Where to see all the lights

Image: Sanyuan vis sohu.com

Although many of the main Lantern Festivals are sold out around the city, there are still a few places where you can pay and see some awesome light shows. 

Sanyuan's light show brings viewers back to the field with their themes centring around farming, love and traditional culture. 

• Sanyuan Agricultural Science Park. 6-10pm. 60RMB at the gate. 

• 119 Shangzhuang Lu, Haidian district.
  

Head to Langyuan Vintage for a free show that merges new media, art and light into magical tunnels to explore. 

• Langyuan Village. 10am-9pm. Free. 

• Lang Jia Yuan, 6 Tonghuihe Bei Lu, Chaoyang district.
  

Zhongguancun Yihao hosts two (free) light shows in the business area tomorrow, with images and lights synchronised over a number of buildings. If you live over in Haidian or Zhongguancun, head out to see a visual display of Chinese culture. 

• Zhongguancun Yihao. 5.40-9pm. Free.

• Yongjia Bei Lu, Haidian district.
  

Happy Valley ends its Chinese New Year extravaganza with a special lantern show that features classic imagery from opera to food. 

• Happy Valley. 4-8.30pm. 99-165RMB.

• Xiaowuji Bei Lu, East Fourth Ring Road, Chaoyang district.
  

Eat this

Image: Eliza Adam

Tangyuan – also known as yuanxiao, like the festival – are glutinous rolled rice balls that evoke the shape of the full moon overhead, traditionally filled with red bean or sesame paste. They can be bought frozen in packs at supermarkets, or you can try your hand at making your own. (Hit 'Read more' at the end of this article for a recipe.)

Buy your own

Image: Taobao

Lanterns will be available in most supermarkets, though Taobao is home to a plethora of shapes, sizes and designs, from the traditional red roundies to dog-shaped delights.

To make your own tangyuan this Lantern Festival, hit 'Read more' below. 

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