Yuyuan Garden's lantern show to light up festival (2)

The annual Yuyuan Garden Lantern Show, unveiled last month in Shanghai, will last for 52 days. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Another major cluster of lanterns is positioned within the Center Plaza and themed on the Year of the Rabbit. Here, visitors can find a huge white rabbit "flying" to the moon palace as it turns its head to look at Kun, an enormous fish that could change into a roc, another magical bird of prey mentioned in Shanhaijing.

"This artwork also reflects the history of Chinese people's dream of space exploration," says Sang.

Meanwhile, the Center Plaza and Gold Plaza are filled with a multitude of auspicious animal lanterns.

Sang suggests that people visit Yuyuan Garden at around 5 pm when the daily ceremony for the lighting up of the lanterns is held, a brand-new program this year. Story-telling performances and ancient rituals take place during the ceremony.

Visitors can also look forward to a host of activities, including a lantern parade, a puzzle contest and a handicraft exhibition, to participate in. Intangible cultural heritage classes will also be held during the Spring Festival period.

At these events, artisans from around Shanghai will teach people how to write Spring Festival couplets, sew scented sachets and make lanterns.

Admission to the lantern show is free except for the following periods: Jan 22-28, and Feb 1-5.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the booths around Yuyuan Garden. Prices range from 30 ($4.3) to 80 yuan.