Although Chinese New Year is still weeks away, preparations for the 2025 Xi'an City Wall Lantern Festival are in full swing. Many lantern installations are already complete, while others are still under construction.

Preparations for the 2025 Xi'an City Wall Lantern Festival are in full swing. [Photo/Xi'an Daily]

This year's lantern festival features extraordinary designs, with some inspired by 38 national treasures, adding cultural significance to the event.

The main lantern installation is currently under construction. However, other lanterns, including those featuring the 2025 year of the snake zodiac, are already displayed.

The lantern festival features five cultural themes: Tang poetry, artifacts, zodiac symbols, traditions, and performances, highlighting the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and the vibrancy of modern Xi'an.

Workers are busy installing lanterns at Xi'an City Wall. [Photo/Xi'an Daily]

The festival runs from Jan 22 to March 9. Tickets for the main lantern area are 100 yuan ($13.63) for general admission and 50 yuan for students. Other sections offer reduced ticket prices of 45 yuan for general admission and 27 yuan for students.

Special cultural events include a "fortune for all" New Year giveaway, a Tang poetry challenge, and lantern riddle guessing. From Jan 29 to Feb 3, visitors will also be entertained by 60 daily performances.

Tourists appreciate lanterns. [Photo/Xi'an Daily]