Lanterns create festive atmosphere in Zhangye

Fireworks illuminate the night sky above the Jiuqu Yellow River Lantern Formation in Zhangye, Gansu province on Feb 14. [Photo by Cheng Xuelei]

Lantern Festival falls on the 15th day of the first month on the Chinese lunar calendar, which was Feb 15 this year.

As the festival approached, Zhangye in Northwest China's Gansu province was aglow with the glittering Jiuqu Yellow River Lantern Formation decorating its ancient buildings.

The formation dates back about 3,000 years ago. In 2019, it was recognized as the largest lantern formation in China by the Shanghai China Records Headquarters.