The Lianxi Lake Park in Xinghua, a county-level city in Taizhou, Jiangsu province, stole the spotlight during the 2026 Spring Festival with a lantern festival.
The event's highlight was a head-to-head showcase of intangible cultural heritage items from North and South China. Yingge dance from Guangdong's Chaoshan region, inspired by the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) classic novel Water Margin, thrilled audiences with its dynamic drumming and acrobatic performances, while northern China's yangge and stilt-walking routines added a lively, rustic charm. Xinghua's local Shagou bench dragon dance completed this cross-regional cultural dialogue.
Yingge dance performance. [Photo/WeChat account: xhlvyou]
As night fell, Lianxi Lake transformed into a dreamscape with 21 illuminated lantern displays, including adorable Water Margin-themed characters. A 3,000-square-meter light field and a laser water show further elevated the immersive experience.
A set of Water Margin-themed lanterns. [Photo/WeChat account: xhlvyou]
A splendid laser water show. [Photo/WeChat account: xhlvyou]
This fusion of tradition and innovation attracted throngs of visitors, solidifying Lianxi Lake as Xinghua's ultimate Spring Festival destination and setting a new benchmark for cultural tourism events.