Lantern Festival Fever Infects Riversleigh

Lantern Festival or Yuanxiao Jie is a traditional Chinese festival, which is fall on the 15th of the first month of the Chinese New Year. It is the last day of two week long Chinese New Year cerebration. People with their family will gather in the show place to enjoy the beautiful lanterns displayed by individuals or the local municipal. Kids will carry their own lanterns to participate in the showcase. Usually there is competition for the most beautiful lantern.This festival is also a Chinese Valentine's day that youngsters celebrate the festivals with their lovers in such beautiful and romantic evening. Lanterns are also displayed in other festivals such Mid-Autumn Festival. Lantern making has long history and there are a lot of romance stories told about lanterns and lovers related to this festival.

Popularly referred to as Chinese Valentine's Day, this festival marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations. Based on an old Chinese tradition, flower markets, restaurants, homes and parks are filled with colourful lanterns in traditional designs. During the festival, singles gather to play matchmaking games with the lanterns, to determine who will be their lover.

After the Lantern Festival the Land of Chinese New Year is moving on. When a land moves on there is a curious cold wind, the sun goes down and everything is cloaked in darkness. Make sure to reach the hole that leads back to the Faraway Tree before this happens.

Housekeepers at Riversleigh have got into the spirit of Chinese New Year and have decked the place with Chinese Lanterns. It is not safe to stay up in the Land of Chinese New Year for much longer because it is moving on.

So check out the festivities and then scamper down the tree and head back to your quarters in Riversleigh to celebrate the Lantern Festival and Valentines Day