Zigong lanterns crafted for upcoming Spring Festival

This photo taken on Jan. 29, 2024 shows a dragon-shaped lantern made by Deng Peilin's team for the upcoming Spring Festival in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua)

The national-level intangible cultural heritage project Zigong lantern show boasts a long history. It can be traced back to Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties.

Deng Peilin, born in the 1970s, is a prominent craftsman of Zigong lanterns. He apprenticed renowned craftsmen for years to learn the skills of lantern designing and making.

Deng has witnessed the development of Zigong lantern industry over the past two decades. His team has organized Zigong lantern exhibitions across the world.

Deng Peilin colors a lantern in Zigong City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

Deng Peilin checks a lantern blueprint with designers in Zigong City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

Deng Peilin installs components into lanterns in Zigong City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

Deng Peilin poses with a traditional Zigong lantern in Zigong City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

Deng Peilin (L) discusses the details of lanterns with a designer in Zigong City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

Deng Peilin makes a lantern in Zigong City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

Deng Peilin (L) makes lanterns with a worker in Zigong City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

Deng Peilin (C) checks the details of a huge lantern with workers in Zigong City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)