The Lantern Festival or Yuan Xiao Festival (simplified Chinese: 元宵节; pinyin: Yuánxiāojié) or Shang Yuan Festival (simplified Chinese: 上元节; pinyin: Shàngyuánjié) in China is a festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month of the lunar year, the last day of the lunar Chinese New Year celebration. During the Lantern Festival, children go out at night to temples carrying paper lanterns and solve riddles on the lanterns (simplified Chinese: 猜灯谜). It officially ends the Chinese New Year celebrations.

Solve lantern riddles

Lantern riddles are written on the lanterns displayed during the festival. The riddles can be also pasted on the walls for public entertainment activities or private recreation.

Fly Kongming's Light (Hot-Air Balloon)

During Lantern Festival, Chinese people also like to fly Kongming's Light (Hot-Air Balloon). The light is said to resemble the hat of Kongming (another name for Zhuge Liang, a chancellor of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history), hence the name "Kongming's Light". The light is made of paper, with a small hole in the bottom. People believe that Kongming's Light can bring them the happiness and good luck in the new year.

Admire lanterns

The custom of admiring beautiful lanterns dates back to the Han Dynasty (206BC–220AD). When night falls, the streets, squares and parks are decorated with a variety of colorful lanterns, including flower lanterns, figure lanterns, palace lanterns, wall lamps, animal lanterns, revolving horse lanterns and toy lanterns. The sparkling lights make a bustling atmosphere.

"Walk sickness"

Also known as "travel sickness", "walk sickness" is a healthy activity with strong belief. On Lantern Festival or the next day, women (most in countryside) usually go out together, along the wall, cross the bridge or to the countryside. They believe this activity can erase evil and cure illness. Today, the tradition can still be seen in many villages in China.

Places for Lantern Festival celebration in some cities in China

Beijing: Beihai Park, Grand View Garden (Feb.17 - 18), Xiaotangshan (Feb.17 - 20), Longqing Gorge (Feb.17 - 28), International fashion district of Sanlitun (Feb.17 - 20), Fragrant Mountain (Feb.17)

Wuxi: Chong'an Temple, Meili ancient city (from 18:30, Feb.17), Donglin Academy (14:00 – 15:00, Feb.17) and Home of Xue Fucheng (18:00 – 21:30, Feb.17)

Hangzhou: Wuzhen ancient town (Feb.17), Piawan farm house (Feb.17 - 20), Yanguan tidal bore viewing resorts (Feb.17) and Qiandao Lake (Feb.17).

Xi'an: Qujiang district (Feb.17), Great Temple Fair on Xi'an City Wall (Jan.26 – Feb.27) and Famen Temple (Feb.17)