The 32nd Zigong International Dinosaur Lantern Festival commenced on Friday at Sichuan province’s Chinese Lantern World, showcasing an extraordinary synthesis of traditional artistry and cutting-edge technology. This annual spectacle, renowned for its cultural significance, has elevated its presentation through innovative technological integration while preserving centuries-old craftsmanship traditions.
Spanning multiple themed zones, the festival features 11 monumental lantern installations complemented by over 200 smaller displays. The exhibition demonstrates remarkable artistic ingenuity through its use of sustainable materials, including a 4-meter-tall golden Hou beast constructed from 100 kilograms of straw, a phoenix adorned with 15,000 red chilies, and a mythical Qilin assembled from 46,000 repurposed medicine bottles.
Among the standout attractions is the 210-meter-long ‘Magical China’ installation, drawing inspiration from the ancient Zhuangzi classic to depict the legendary Kunpeng—a mythical bird-fish hybrid symbolizing national strength. Equally impressive is the 180-meter ‘Legend of Mulan’ display, created in anticipation of the upcoming Year of the Horse, which intertwines the heroine’s story with dynamic equine imagery to convey profound patriotic themes.
The festival incorporates advanced interactive technologies including artificial intelligence interfaces, smart touch controls, and light-sensing systems. These innovations enable visitors to engage with virtual performers and lifelike robotic dinosaurs, creating immersive experiences that bridge historical storytelling with futuristic entertainment.
According to Chen Jinhong, Director of Zigong’s Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism Bureau, the event masterfully combines intangible cultural heritage techniques—such as traditional lantern-making, tie-dye, and paper-cutting—with mythological narratives and historical accounts. This approach not only preserves cultural legacy but also recontextualizes it for contemporary audiences through technological enhancement.