Lantern Festival at Yu Garden on the Fifth Day of Lunar New Year

Duration: 1 day. Time: February. Cost per person: 50 yuan. Companions: husband and wife. Travel styl[...]

Duration: 1 day. Time: February. Cost per person: 50 yuan. Companions: husband and wife. Travel style: free and easy. Published on 2022-02-08 at 20:39.
It is often said that ‘When the lanterns of Yu Garden light up, Shanghai celebrates the New Year!’ This statement holds true every year. The most festive place in Shanghai during the lunar new year is undoubtedly the Yu Garden Lantern Festival.
The ‘Shanghai Yu Garden Spring Festival Folk Art Lantern Festival’ is a ‘National Intangible Cultural Heritage Project’ and is the most renowned, influential, and festive Spring Festival event in Shanghai.
In 2022, the Year of the Tiger, which also marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, the Yu Garden Lantern Festival was more traditional and imbued with Eastern aesthetics and national trend beauty. With the theme ‘Tiger Leaping in the East’, the ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ was integrated into the Spring Festival lantern festival. Various tiger sculptures were scattered throughout the scenic area, inviting visitors to explore.
The 2022 Tiger Year Spring Festival Yu Garden Lantern Festival featured various zodiac tiger shapes as important elements in the New Year’s atmosphere, with themed lantern groups such as ‘Tiger Leaping in the East’, ‘God of Wealth’, and ‘Nine Bends Twenty-Four Hours’. Exquisitely crafted sheepskin palace lanterns, Shanghai-style lighting, traditional lanterns, and school field New Year painting lanterns were all on display, creating a stunning spectacle against the backdrop of Yu Garden’s ancient architecture.The Lantern Festival, a spectacle not to be missed by visitors and photographers alike, spanned from January 18th to February 18th. On the fifth day of the new lunar month, with the weather being particularly favorable, I made my way to Yu Garden to partake in the festivities. The atmosphere was electric, with throngs of people filling the area. To manage the crowds, traffic control measures were put in place, and a serpentine queue had formed at the entrance. It took us a considerable 32 minutes to gain entry after joining the line.

Adhering to the designated tour route, we navigated through the masses and eventually reached the Golden Square. This central area, with its focus on blessings, showcased a ‘God of Wealth’ statue under a money tree. The deity was depicted holding a large, golden ingot in one hand and making the modern ‘yeah’ gesture with the other, a whimsical touch indicating that even the God of Wealth stays current with the times. This ‘God of Wealth’ statue, with its golden ingot and contemporary gesture, was a beacon of New Year’s blessings for visitors, offering prayers for wealth and happiness in the coming year. Its creative and auspicious design made it a favorite among the crowd, with everyone eager to capture a photo with it for a touch of good fortune.

As we continued our stroll along the lantern-lit path, we arrived at the central square, home to the ‘Tiger Leaping in the East’. This imposing structure stood at an impressive 9 meters tall, embodying the spirit of a mountain king. It exuded majesty and pride, as if treading upon the peak and radiating a regal presence. By nightfall, the 9-meter-high zodiac tiger theme lanterns, set against the backdrop of Yu Garden’s Ming and Qing dynasty architecture, created a harmonious blend of light and shadow, enhancing the tigers’ grandeur.The group of zodiac tiger lanterns was truly a spectacle, with designs that ingeniously combined elements of the Winter Olympics and astronaut attire, resulting in figures that were both adorable and lifelike.

At the forefront stood the astronaut tiger, proudly holding the national flag. Adjacent to it was the skiing tiger, embodying the spirit of the Beijing Winter Olympics. Naturally, countless tourists were captured in the act of taking pictures with their mobile phones and cameras, eager to immortalize the moment.

On the side, a picture scroll in Huabao Tower read “A hundred years is just in its prime,” symbolizing the flourishing prosperity of the motherland. Speaking of profound implications, one cannot overlook the Zigzag Bridge in Yu Garden. The saying goes that after nine turns, one becomes the supreme ruler, and the bridge is steeped in auspicious and noble good fortune. It is believed that walking the entire length of the Zigzag Bridge once a year during the Spring Festival brings good luck.

The concept of “Nine Turns and Twenty-Four Solar Terms” is a delightful fusion, intertwining the folk customs associated with the spring-related solar terms from the traditional twenty-four solar terms—such as Start of Spring, Rain Water, Awakening of Insects, Vernal Equinox, Pure Brightness, and Grain Rain—with the interpretation and tradition of little tigers, making this knowledge more accessible to the public. This concept is beautifully rendered in the lantern groups of zodiac tigers, each showcasing different solar term customs from Jiangnan.

The cute zodiac tigers are endearing, and the beautiful lanterns that adorn the Zigzag Bridge create a dreamlike atmosphere. And to complete the experience, one should not forget to enjoy spring rolls at the Start of Spring.Walk on three bridges at Rain Water. Admire peach blossoms at Awakening of Insects. Brew spring wine at Vernal Equinox.

In addition to the lantern festival in Yu Garden, the old campus road outside Yu Garden is also a lively scene. The unique national trend-flavored bazaar here may let you find many infinite memories of childhood.

Shanghai’s first chocolate museum is located in Yu Garden! You can casually visit. Inside, there is not only a small zoo, but also a ‘chocolate zoo’. The domineering tiger, simple and honest elephant, handsome BMW, and national treasure panda… The entire exhibition space is all handmade with chocolate. The air is filled with a rich chocolate smell, attracting passersby to come in! There are also realistic shoes, making people exclaim: The chefs here are so talented! Here, you can also learn about the history, ingredients, production techniques and other related knowledge of chocolate and cocoa beans. Friends who like chocolate must come and experience it!

Come to Yu Garden in Huangpu District, Shanghai quickly this Spring Festival to celebrate the Spring Festival. Address: Old Campus Road, Fuyou Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai. Transportation: Get off at Yu Garden Station of Shanghai Metro Lines 10 and 14.