A lantern festival opens to the public at Xixi National Wetland Park in Hangzhou on Jan 23. [Photo/IC]

As Chinese New Year draws near, Xixi National Wetland Park in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, has come alive with a lantern festival, which launched on Jan 23.

Through June, the park's scenic spots will be illuminated nightly from 5:00 pm to 11:30 pm, creating an interplay of light and shadow.

Thousands of custom lanterns are scattered across the wetlands, accompanied by larger installations that together craft a breathtaking display of Chinese aesthetics.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, a series of traditional cultural performances during Spring Festival will infuse the lantern show with the charm of Zhejiang's intangible cultural heritage.