Traditional Lantern Festival gets tech makeover with AI, XR, drones

I-summoned mythical beasts for guided tours, Extended Reality (XR) technology enabling visitors to “roam within lanterns,” and drone formations illuminating the skylines of ancient buildings...

- By Xu Liuliu and Li Hang

The Year of the Horse Lantern Festival, which fell on March 3, witnessed an unprecedented fusion of cutting-edge technologies.As night fell at the Guandi Temple historical and cultural block in Zhoukou, Central China’s Henan Province, a lighting ceremony marked the beginning of the evening festivities.

A dazzling light illuminated the sky above the bell and drum towers, igniting the atmosphere in the square. Following this, 500 drones took to the sky, performing a thematic display that vividly narrated the grand journey from the culture of integrity associated with Guan Yu, a deified figure from the ancient Chinese epic The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, to the historical transformation of Zhoukou’s canal port and up to the modern achievement of Zhoukou Port. Traditional operas about Guan Yu were performed at Guandi Temple, paying homage to his spirit of loyalty and righteousness.

"Lantern festivals serve as an important medium for the public to perceive the depth of New Year customs and appreciate the festive spirit of the spring season. The rich viewing experiences and the strong atmosphere of the Chinese New Year make them a key attraction for visitors," said Sun Jiashan, a researcher at the Chinese Culture Teaching and Research Department of the Central Institute of Socialism.

Explosion of light, tech