5 Hacks for Enjoying BJ's Largest Lantern Show in Wenyuhe Park

The Chinese New Year holiday may be over officially, but the festive spirit continues at the “Megalights Wonderland” at Chaoyang’s Wenyuhe Park. The 400-acre parkwide lantern festival is the biggest that Beijing residents have seen in years, featuring more than 1,000 colored lanterns over six specific themes from “Auspicious Dragon” to “Vast Space.” Indeed, the show has been so popular since it opened that officials have extended its closing date to July, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to visit.

Here are five useful tips you need to know before you make your way to the spectacular lights event.

#1:Buy your tickets ahead of time

To avoid being turned away at the door, buy your tickets on Dianping or whichever local ticketing app you’re familiar with that supports this event. 

On Dianping, prices start from RMB 68 for children and RMB 118 for adults, with discounted family packages. Do note that there are refundable and non-refundable tickets, so ensure that you get the right one for your needs. Tickets are only usable for the day you choose, and ticket sales usually start a couple of days in advance on Dianping.

(“What’s Dianping?” you ask? Check out this post here to find out all about the must-have local Yelp equivalent.)

Search “温榆千灯会“ (wēnyú qiān dēnghuì) to find tickets.

#2: Get a map

You can download a picture of the physical map or get your own free copy at the kiosks around the park. It’s good to have a plan before you arrive, considering the likelihood of sprawling crowds.

For us, we chose to start from gate 21 and go counter-clockwise for a full circle, exiting at gate 20 (because gate 21 was closed for exit after 7pm). This way seemed the least crowded in our experience.

Gate 23 remained opened for entry until 9pm, and for exit for the whole time, though it must be said that the areas closest to gate 23 were the most packed. Also note that the small road leading up to gate 23 is not open for vehicle traffic, so you’ll have to walk from the main road.

There's more to this story! This article was originally posted on our sister account, Jingkids International.

Images: Vivienne Tseng-Rush
 

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