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Mythological beings and animals lit up a lantern festival on Friday, in China’s southwestern city of Zigong, to celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year of the Horse, which begins Feb. 17.
More than 1,200 workers took weeks to construct the 200 handmade lanterns, including a 210-metre-long mythological creature, “Kunpeng,” and a 180-metre-long Chinese heroine, “Mulan.”
The annual Zigong International Lantern Festival will run until the Yuanxiao Festival, a carnival day that marks the end of the Lunar New Year on March 3. Check out the dazzling scenes from opening night.

(Maxim Shemetov/Reuters)

(Maxim Shemetov/Reuters)
A woman takes a selfie next to a light installation.

(Maxim Shemetov/Reuters)
A couple walk in a tunnel inside a light installation.

(Maxim Shemetov/Reuters)
Lanterns are a traditional feature of Lunar New Year celebrations in China, symbolizing good fortune and guidance.

(Maxim Shemetov/Reuters)
