The 2025 Shantou Small Park International Lantern Festival captivated the hearts of locals and visitors alike with a grand cultural carnival held on February 13, igniting the night sky with a dazzling display of lanterns and folk performances.

The event, which is part of a larger celebration spanning from February 12 to March 9, showcased the rich cultural heritage and unique charm of Shantou, a city renowned for its overseas Chinese community.

The carnival was marked by a spectacular light show that illuminated the Nansheng Department Store and its surrounding buildings. The "Twelve Flower Goddesses" made a stunning appearance, holding lanterns as they emerged from the windows of the building.

As the lights flowed to the 24 Solar Terms flower pillar lanterns, the Zhongshan Memorial Pavilion transformed into a rotating lantern display, showcasing highlights of Shantou's economic and social development, including the city's trade fairs, cultural exhibitions, and technological advancements.

The 1.2-kilometer-long arcade street, stretching from the core area of Small Park to Xidi Road along Anping Road, was adorned with an array of lanterns in various shapes and designs. These included lanterns depicting traditional Chaoshan architecture, marine landscapes, and intricate woodcarvings.

The street was also transformed into a "Southeast Asian Impressions" themed area, with lanterns exhibiting cultural scenes from Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Laos, reinforcing the bond between overseas Chinese and their ancestral hometown.

In addition to the lantern displays, the festival featured a series of cultural activities that showcased the essence of Chaoshan culture. Over 200 performers mesmerized the crowd with traditional dances, gong and drum performances, and Yingge dances.

The event also included interactive activities such as lantern riddles, robotic Yingge dances, lantern parades, and an intangible cultural heritage market, attracting large crowds and offering a truly immersive experience.

"It's my first time coming to Shantou. I feel very happy. It's like coming back to my hometown. I feel like I'm visiting my relatives because I am the third generation with Chinese blood in my family," said Mr. Kajtiti Wiwatwanont, Consul General of the Royal Thai Consulate General in Guangzhou.

Mr. Kajtiti Wiwatwanont estimated that among the 70 million Thai people, approximately 10 million are of Chinese descent, many tracing their origins to Shantou. Emphasizing the importance of linking the past with the present, he noted that Chinese cuisine, values, beliefs, and philosophies, such as reciprocating kindness and respecting elders, have been inherited within Thai society.

He revealed that the Mayor of Bangkok will officially visit Shantou next week. He stated that further cooperation between Shantou and Thailand can be promoted through measures such as opening more direct air routes, encouraging mutual tourism, and facilitating exchanges and learning between the two sides.

Ms. Cornelia Chin Siew Ling, Deputy Consul General of the Consulate General of Malaysia in Guangzhou, noted that Shantou is a diverse city that offers a blend of old and new, with intact cultural heritage and historical aspects.

She emphasized that increasing flight connectivity between Malaysia and Shantou could facilitate cultural and tourism cooperation, given the significant Malaysian Chinese population whose roots trace back to Guangdong and places like Shantou.

Reporter | Chen Jinxia

Video | Qin Shaolong

Photo provided by the Publicity Department of Shantou

Editor | Hu Nan, James, Shen He