Collage: How Cities Across China Are Welcoming the Dragon

The best art and installations celebrating the imminent arrival of the Year of the Dragon.

By Wu Huiyuan and Qi Ya

As the Year of the Dragon approaches, various dragon-themed art installations have appeared across China. Since the last Year of the Dragon 12 years ago, advancements in sound and light technology, fireworks production, and drone technology have meant the emergence of new, creative ways for depicting the symbolic creature.

In Shanghai, the dragon lanterns at the Yuyuan Garden Lantern Festival have become a popular destination for tourists, with diamond-studded dragon heads adorning luxury storefronts; in northeastern Shenyang, visitors can witness dragons soaring into the sky at a film and television city; and in eastern Hangzhou, huge dragon displays on 3D screens are captivating passersby.

Sixth Tone presents photos showing the best of dragon-inspired art and installations across China.

Shenyang, Liaoning province, Jan. 6, 2024. VCG

Chengdu, Sichuan province, Jan. 4, 2024. Zhang Lang/VCG

Shanghai, Feb. 5, 2024. Wu Huiyuan/Sixth Tone

Huai’an, Jiangsu province, Dec. 27, 2023. Zhao Qirui/VCG

Guangzhou, Guangdong province, January 2024. VCG

Longyan, Fujian province, Feb. 2, 2024. VCG

Guangzhou, Guangdong province, Feb. 5, 2024. VCG

Shenyang, Liaoning province, 2024. From Global Times

Shanghai, Fuzhou, and Beijing, 2024. Zhou Pinglang, Wu Huiyuan, and IC

Yuncheng, Shanxi province, Jan. 23, 2024. Yan Xin/VCG

Taiyuan, Shanxi province, Feb. 1, 2024. IC

Beijing, Feb. 1, 2024. VCG

Shanghai, Jan. 2, 2024. VCG

Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, 2024. From Douyin

Shanghai, February 2024. Zhou Pinglang and Wu Huiyuan/Sixth Tone

Beijing, Jan. 4, 2024. IC

Huai’an, Jiangsu province, Dec. 27, 2023. Li Xin/VCG

Shanghai, February 2024. Wu Huiyuan/Sixth Tone

Harbin, Heilongjiang province, Jan. 23, 2024. VCG

Hong Kong, Jan. 28, 2024. Hou Yu/IC

Changchun, Jilin province, Feb. 5, 2024. Chi Xiaowei/VCG

Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, Jan. 16, 2024. Zhang Di/IC

Left: Quanzhou, Fujian province, Dec. 26, 2023. Li Yuteng/VCG; Right: Shanghai, Jan. 25, 2024. Zhou Pinglang for Sixth Tone

Shenyang, Liaoning province, Jan. 6, 2024. VCG

Editor: Vincent Chow.

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