“I heard if you want to ‘become Chinese’, you must be here for the Lantern Festival!” Zuhair, a Palestinian student, took his friends on a night tour of the Shenyang Zhongjie Street Fangcheng Spring Lantern Fair. They were instantly captivated by the dazzling lanterns and bustling crowds.

Lantern viewing is a cherished Chinese festive tradition, embodying hopes for the year ahead. Today, the fusion of intangible cultural heritage craftsmanship and modern technology creates a magical realm of light, allowing Zuhair to finally understand Chinese people’s enduring passion and their cultural legacy behind this ancient custom.

Though it was deep into the night, Zhongjie Street remained aglow and vibrant. Zuhair was fully immersed in the joy: strolling among lanterns, snapping photos, and savoring local delicacies. He realized that to “become Chinese”, you only need to visit a lantern fair.