14 spectacular pictures of China's Lantern Festival

Dazzling light displays across China mark last day of Chinese New Year celebrations

The last day of Chinese New Year was celebrated with much vigour in cities and villages across China. The Lantern Festival, which emerged as a popular tradition in ancient China, marks the first full moon of the new year and brings to an end the 15-day celebrations. During the elaborate festivities, people eat rice dumplings and watch lanterns into the sky.

The festival marks the return of spring and symbolises the reunion of family. 2017 is the year of the tenth Chinese zodiac, the rooster.

Here we look at 14 spectacular pictures showcasing the festivities.

Traditional lanterns are seen at a lantern fair in Beijing. PHOTO: AFP

People visit a light show celebrating the Lantern Festival, the last day of Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations, in Beijing. PHOTO: REUTERS

A folk artist makes sparks as performers perform a fire dragon dances with the shower of melted iron spark on Lantern Festival in Suining, Sichuan province. PHOTO: REUTERS

People visit a light show celebrating the Lantern Festival, the last day of Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations, in Beijing. PHOTO: REUTERS

People participate in celebration events in Puning, Guangdong province, China. PHOTO: REUTERS

Locals perform fire dragon dances with shower of melted iron spark on Lantern Festival in Suining, Sichuan province, China. PHOTO: REUTERS

People visit a light show celebrating the Lantern Festival, the last day of Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations, in Beijing. PHOTO: REUTERS

People visit Fuzimiao during a lantern fair on Lantern Festival, in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, China. PHOTO: REUTERS

Folk artists perform the art of making shower of melted iron sparks at a celebrations event in Anyang, Henan province, China. PHOTO: REUTERS

Traditional colourful lanterns are seen at a lantern fair in Beijing. PHOTO: AFP

People watch a fire dragon made of lantern, firecrackers and fireworks as people perform a dragon dance to celebrate Lantern Festival in Fengshun county, Guangdong province. PHOTO: REUTERS

People visit lantern fair ahead of Lantern Festival in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, China. PHOTO: REUTERS

People watch a fire dragon and a fire rooster made of lanterns, firecrackers and fireworks as performers carry the lanterns to perform dances to celebrate, Fengshun county, Guangdong province. PHOTO: REUTERS

People visit lantern fair ahead of Lantern Festival in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, China. PHOTO: REUTERS