Chinese New Year: Lantern shows in Shanxi for Spring Festival

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Lantern shows have lit up Datong city in northern China's Shanxi province this holiday. Many families travel to this ancient city to celebrate their Spring Festival. Hu Chao brings us a glimpse of the very colorful annual event.

This year's Datong Lantern fair showcases over 180 kinds of traditional and modern lanterns, covering an area of over three million square meters.

A major highlight is northern China's largest domed screen, which looks sort of like a high-tech igloo. Visitors inside are able to enjoy a 360-degree display showing different videos.

Many also come for the nighttime spectacle.

VISITOR "We hope more people from other places will come to visit the lantern show in Datong. It's great."

VISITOR "We're from Tianjin. I think the lantern show in Datong is gaining in popularity. Every lantern has its own unique style. We feel the place has a festive atmosphere."

Datong is around four hours' drive from Beijing. It's one of the most famous historical and cultural sites in China. The restored city walls have long been among the city's defining traits.

HU CHAO DATONG "The city walls are over seven kilometers long. They enclose a square area in the middle of the city. As you can see, these walls as a backdrop make the lantern show a special experience."

Local authorities say tourism will peak in the city around the Chinese lantern festival in early March. The show opened on February 8th and will last for a month. A million people from China and overseas are expected to come. Hu Chao, CGTN, Datong, Shanxi Province.