China ready for Lantern Festival

In China, the upcoming celebration after Spring Festival is the Lantern Festival which is just over a week away celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month. The whole country is preparing to light up, with lanterns of all shapes and sizes.

The whole country is preparing to light up, with lanterns of all shapes  and sizes.

Not surprisingly in the year of the Tiger, tiger shaped lanterns are the most sought after at the market in eastern China's Nanjing city.

Prices range from 10 to 500 yuan, depending on the design and size.

It takes around 6-hours to make the framework for a tiger, using iron wires.

Other popular designs are the traditional symbols for prosperity and luck.

On the night of the first full moon of the lunar new year, it's a tradition for people to walk carrying lanterns often shaped like the zodiac animal of that lunar year.

Decorative lanterns representing different themes, adorn the Tazishan Park in Chengdu city. These works of art embrace folklore and history, and express elements of ancient wisdom.

The highlight is a "sugar lantern" which features a picture of pied magpies and a plum tree. According to organizers, 500 kilograms of sugar has been used to make the lantern.

Last year 800,000 people witnessed the pageantry.

The Lantern Festival marks the end of 15-days of celebration, over Spring Festival. After the break, it's time to make a fresh start in the new year.