The City of Lanterns in China Shines Once Again.
On January 23, 2026, the 32nd Zigong International Dinosaur Lantern Festival officially opened at the China Lantern World. This grand light and shadow extravaganza, themed "Lanterns Paint China, Dreams Build the Future," will not only present a visually stunning spectacle with 11 large lantern sets and over 200 medium and small lantern sets, but will also showcase the speed and warmth of a former industrial city's transformation and upgrading.
As one of Sichuan's cultural treasures, Zigong lanterns have long transcended geographical limitations in their influence. As thousands of lanterns illuminate the city, Zigong, the "City of Lanterns," the "Hometown of Dinosaurs," and the "Salt Capital of a Thousand Years," transforms into a flowing epic of light and shadow, conveying the powerful message of "coexistence of all things."
Eight centuries of lantern culture have made Zigong even more graceful in the new era.
From Lu You's poem about "the lanterns are about to be lit again," to the lantern festival customs that flourished in the early 20th century, and then to the first Spring Festival Lantern Festival in 1964, this lantern has always illuminated the night sky of the salt capital.
In 2020, Zigong innovatively proposed a cross-industry integration strategy of "Lanterns+" and "+Lanterns," successfully illuminating the China International Import Expo and reaching a broader international stage. Through "Lanterns + Technology," AR, VR, and AI interactive technologies are widely applied to lantern production, while naked-eye 3D and metaverse digital technologies make "future lanterns" even more magical.
Today, Zigong boasts a complete lantern industry chain, with an annual output value exceeding 6 billion yuan and an industry workforce of 100,000 people. There are over 1,000 lantern enterprises, holding 85% of the domestic market share and 92% of the international market share, illuminating more than 80 countries and regions and over 500 cities worldwide.
Looking to the future, Zigong has a clear plan. The "Zigong Lantern and Simulated Dinosaur Manufacturing High-Quality Development Action Plan (2025-2027)" proposes a target of reaching 10 billion yuan in related comprehensive operating revenue by 2027. The establishment of the nation's first lantern promotion alliance is gathering strength from all sides to promote the "Zigong Lantern" brand to the world.
From millennia of heritage to innovative innovation, Zigong has illuminated a city with a single lamp, and is now illuminating the world as well.
The lantern festival attracts visitors and boosts business, with Zigong striving to create a national-level nighttime cultural and tourism consumption cluster, promoting high-quality development of cultural and tourism integration. Even more noteworthy is that in April 2025, Zigong partnered with the aviation industry to build the largest unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) industrial base in China, with a total investment of 10 billion yuan. On this former saline-alkali land, a "low-altitude city" is rapidly rising, and the "hardcore" genes of this old industrial city are bursting with vitality in the emerging industry sector.
Data speaks for itself, illuminating the path to leapfrog development.
In 2025, Zigong's GDP surpassed 200 billion yuan, with its industrial structure continuing to optimize. The four leading industries-energy conservation and environmental protection, new energy, new materials, and UAVs and general aviation-accounted for 61.1% of the city's total industrial output above designated size, strengthening the foundation for high-quality development. "China's Green Fluorine Capital" has become a national benchmark for the fluorosilicon new materials industry, demonstrating significant achievements in industrial upgrading.
From festival lanterns to industrial engines, from cultural calling cards to open windows, the development path illuminated by Zigong's lanterns is becoming increasingly clear.
One lantern warms a city.
In recent years, Zigong has continuously deepened its efforts in promoting spiritual civilization, integrating outstanding traditional cultures such as lantern culture, well salt culture, and dinosaur culture into the city's very fabric. The people of this salt capital exemplify the true meaning of "one's environment shapes one's character" through their actions, protecting the city's beauty and conveying its warmth with a sense of ownership.
From the "Creative Lantern Festival," which gathers the dreams of children worldwide, to the meticulous visitor services; from the silent dedication to civilized practices to the deeply ingrained urban spirit-the warmth of the Zigong Lantern Festival ultimately elevates to the humanistic spirit of the city. This lantern warms the hearts of every visitor and illuminates Zigong's steadfast path towards high-quality development.
