Spanning from February 10 until May 10, the 2026 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Lantern Carnival in Guangzhou's Nansha has transformed the night sky into a glowing tapestry of heritage and high technology.
Traditionally, lanterns symbolize hope and reunion, but this year's festival—coinciding with the energetic Year of the Horse—offers far more than the traditional. Lisa, a Russian student in China, experienced a magical journey through a multiverse created by lanterns, leaping from ancient Chinese dynasties to outer space in a single evening.
Lisa's journey begins at the gate of the lantern carnival, where she is greeted by 11 splendid, larger-than-life horses. Each of the 11 horses represents a city of the GBA. These aren't mere static displays; the horses are incredibly lifelike.
Lisa pointed out the cities on horses she recognized, “Zhongshan, Huizhou, Shenzhen, ......I visited all these cities!” From the Macao and Shenzhen horses to the Guangzhou one, featuring a vibrant Cantonese lion, the installation captures the unique spirit of each city.
The experience takes a surreal turn as Lisa ventures into an IP World of lanterns. "Dimensional walls are truly broken here!" exclaimed Lisa. In a stunning blend of pop culture and history, she finds herself celebrating the Chinese New Year alongside the legendary hero Guan Yu.
The wonderland journey then leads into a realm of traditional culture where an ancient Ao Fish is hidden behind all the neon glow. Lisa is particularly captivated by it, which is believed to cast away evil.
The showstopper, though, is the return of the Goddess of Flowers. Watching the goddess slowly open her eyes, Lisa described her as the "true essence of flowers and beauty," saying that she is literally amazed by a lantern that stands as one of the most magnificent she has ever seen.
Next, the journey takes another giant leap from the past into the future. "The next thing I know, I'm just in outer space!" Lisa says. Here, the scale of the lanterns shifts from mythical creatures to celestial bodies, allowing her to feel as though the entire planet Earth is resting in her hand.
After interacting with cute aliens, Lisa finds herself pulled back into the long river of Chinese history. Ambling through the dynasties, she marvels at the merchants, camels, and the Great Wall, eventually standing beneath a giant glowing moon and the Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai. Reciting the classic lines, "With a cup of wine in my hand, I ask the blue sky," she reflects on how history seems to glow directly above her.
Though Lisa's personal wonderland journey eventually came to an end, the 2026 GBA Lantern Carnival remains open until May, offering a rare window for visitors to experience this multiverse of light. The magic of Nansha awaits! Have a wonderful magic night here!
Reporter | Guo Chuhua
Video | Qin Shaolong
Poster | Lai Meiya
Liu Xiaodi and Chen Siyuan also contributed to this report.
