A-List Experience! International Students at Haidian's University Visit Yuanmingyuan Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festval of the Bingwu Year of the Horse fell on March 3, 2026,, which was the fifteenth day of the first month in traditional Chinese calendar. This evening, the Yuanmingyuan Ruins Park was illuminated in brilliant splendour, thick with the atmosphere of the New Year.
The Haidian District Government Foreign Affairs Office organized international students at China Agricultural University to experience the 2026 Yuanmingyuan Spring Festival Lantern Show. These students come from Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan and other countries. Amidst the interplay of light and shadow, they discovered the unique charm of traditional Chinese festival culture.
At 19:00, the students gathered at the Qichunyuan Palace Gate. Accompanied by staff from the District Government Foreign Affairs Office and university faculty, they entered the lantern festival grounds. As night fell, large-scale lantern installations themed "Success Upon Arrival" and "Good Fortune and Auspiciousness" were illuminated in sequence. These varied and colourful displays, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern lighting technology, transformed the classical gardens into a dreamlike realm. The students wandered enthusiastically through the sea of lanterns, pausing frequently to admire the exquisite craftsmanship and capture photographs.
"The lights here are extraordinarily beautiful — they have given me a more vivid understanding of Chinese Spring Festival culture," shared Olu, a Nigerian student. Basanti from Nepal reflected, "This reminds me of similar festivals in my own country. Through these exquisite lanterns, I feel as though I am 'reading' many Chinese stories." A faculty member from China Agricultural University noted that this was not merely extracurricular cultural practice, but an unforgettable experience that allowed the students to directly sense the festive atmosphere of Chinese New Year and the historical and cultural charms of Beijing.
It is understood that this Yuanxiao Festival event forms part of a series of cultural experience activities organized by Haidian District for young international students. During the Chinese New Year period, the District Government Foreign Affairs Office had already arranged for over 60 Chinese and international students from Minzu University of China and Capital Normal University to visit the Spring Festival lantern fair. At that time, international student Kailin had remarked excitedly, "These lanterns are far more exquisite than anything I have seen in books — viewing them in person is truly breathtaking." Su De, experiencing his first Chinese New Year in China, observed, "Not only do we get to see such magnificent lanterns, but we also learn the stories and beautiful meanings behind them—this has far greater depth than I had imagined."
A responsible official from the District Government Foreign Affairs Office stated that such activities are designed to provide young international students studying in Haidian with opportunities to gain deeper understanding of traditional Chinese culture and immersive experiences of Chinese New Year. They represent a vivid practice in promoting cultural exchange between China and other nations and enhancing friendly mutual understanding. The Yuanmingyuan Spring Festival Lantern Show concluded on the evening of March 3, the Lantern Festival, while the series of activities allowed international students from various countries to spend unforgettable Chinese New Year nights amidst laughter and joy, lighting within their hearts a bright lamp of understanding and appreciation for China and Beijing.
