Chongqing - Preparations are well underway for the 2026 Chongqing Spring Lantern Festival, one of the largest and most spectacular water lantern festivals in western China. The event is scheduled to open at the end of January and will run until March 22 at Chongqing's Garden Expo Park.

Unlike traditional land-based festivals, this year's lantern display transforms the lake in Chongqing's Garden Expo Park into a radiant stage. The event features six themed zones: "Illuminated Beginnings," "Fortune Awaits," "Celestial Radiance," "Rhythms of Culture," "Mystic Realms," and "Unity in Light." A total of 15 large-scale lantern installations will immerse visitors in a dreamlike, three-dimensional experience combining water, land, and air elements.

Rendering of the lantern festival. (Photo: The event organizer)

Organized by the Chongqing Daily Media Group and operated by Chongqing Shangyou Financial Media, the festival promises five immersive highlights to captivate audiences.

One standout feature is the holographic water screen paired with live water ballet performances — a creative storytelling format that blends light, movement, and emotion to depict Chongqing's urban development. Meanwhile, the 100-meter-long "Sunrise Over Golden Mountains" lantern set reflects across the lake, capturing the city's breathtaking landscape.

Construction site of the 2026 Grand Water Lantern Festival at Garden Expo Park, located in Liangjiang New Area. (Photo: Qi Lanshen)

Another festival highlight is "Heroine Qin Liangyu," a tribute to the historical figure presented through an interactive lantern made with modernized paper-cutting elements. Visitors can engage with the display by touching and assembling patterns on a glowing wall. For couples or friends, a romantic "hand-holding" interactive installation triggers lighting effects — creating a charming surprise moment.

Rendering of the lantern festival. (Photo: The event organizer)

The lanterns are not only a feast for the eyes but also a celebration of craftsmanship. Over 400 artisans from Zigong — known as China's lantern capital — are working day and night to bring the festival to life. 

Construction site of the 2026 Grand Water Lantern Festival at Garden Expo Park, located in Liangjiang New Area. (Photo: Qi Lanshen)

Among them is Zuo Wenwu, a 38-year-old master craftsman with 17 years of experience in lantern design. Specializing in large-scale water-based installations, Zuo emphasized the high precision required: "On water, every structure must be exact. A minor error in measurements could distort the final look."

Zuo is also behind the festival's much-anticipated "Heroine Qin Liangyu" lantern. "We've invested a lot into this piece — it will be absolutely stunning," he shared. 

Also central to the lantern-making process is Gu Xiaoxia, the head of the lantern finishing team. At 38, she leads a team of experienced female artisans, some with over a decade of expertise. Together, they're handling close to 100,000 meters of custom fabric to wrap, glue, and detail each lantern piece with precision.

 Gu Xiaoxia is the head of the lantern finishing team. (Photo: Chen Jun)

"Our lantern sets cover more than 12,500 square meters, with a total volume of 76,150 cubic meters — that's about the size of a 30-story building," Gu explained. Even a single horse-head lantern takes four people four days to complete.

The "Heroine Qin Liangyu" lantern, one of the most talked-about installations online, is set to feature animated eyes and dynamic sound effects for a truly lifelike experience. "With a phoenix crown and golden armor, we're bringing the elegance and strength of this female general to life," said Gu and her team confidently.

Currently, over 70% of the lantern construction is complete. Components are being transported from Zigong to the festival site, where more than 200 workers on-site are collaborating with 200 artisans back home.

As the final touches come together, some installations are already taking shape, drawing eager locals for early photo ops. Anticipation is building fast — and by late January, Chongqing's night sky will officially come alive with color and light.