Tens of thousands of people gathered to Xishuangbanna, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, illuminating sky lanterns, or Kongming lanterns, to celebrate and experience the New Year of Dai ethnic group on Friday. /VCG Photo

New Year of Dai ethnic group, also known as the Water Splashing Festival, aims to send off the old and greet the new. /VCG Photo

The festival is celebrated from April 13 this year, lasting for three days. During the festival, Dai people wear traditionally dressed up, singing and dancing, and doing such celebrations as setting off fireworks and exhibiting sky lanterns. /VCG Photo

Many people in Asia and elsewhere around the world consider launching sky lanterns as part of long-established festivities, such as Thailand, India and Brazil. /VCG Photo