(Yicai Global) Jan. 19 -- Lanterns of all shapes and sizes were lit up in Yu Garden in downtown Shanghai yesterday to mark the beginning of celebrations for the upcoming Lunar New Year festival, an important occasion for family reunions and to mark the arrival of spring.

This year’s Yu Garden Lantern Festival takes a modern twist, featuring both the traditional red, round lantern and a huge array of modern shapes and characters. Tigers are on prominent display as the upcoming lunar year is the Year of the Tiger according to the Chinese Zodiac.

The Lantern Festival will be held from Jan. 18 to Feb. 18. People can either watch it online or visit in person.

Pic 1: Visitors walk through an artistic light show among the traditional architecture of Yu Garden which also boasts a classical Chinese garden.

Pic 2: A nine-meter-high lantern of a tiger takes center stage. This year will be the Year of the Tiger and is a time of risk-taking and adventure according to the Chinese Zodiac.

Pic 3: An enormous lantern of the God of Fortune, bringer of wealth, is on display. People will make a wish to this deity in the hope of making bags of money in the coming year.

Pic 4: Jiuqu Bridge in Yu Garden is adorned with many ornate lanterns, which symbolize good luck in traditional Chinese culture.

Pic 5: Even the cartoon character Kung-Fu Panda makes an appearance at the entrance to a shopping mall.

Editor: Kim Taylor