Dragon Lanterns Welcome the Lunar New Year

2012 is the year of the dragon in the Chinese lunar calendar. As one of the biggest tourist attractions, Jiji, a small town in Nantou County in Taiwan, is welcoming the New Year by lighting up special designed dragon lanterns.

[Tourist]:
"It’s very beautiful. I would come again next year."

[Tourist]:
"They did a good job in the past few years, and the lanterns are all different."

The dragon is the most auspicious symbol in traditional Chinese culture.

[Yan Hongbang, Town Mayor of Jiji]:
"Our theme of this year is dragon leaping up high into the sky, and brings luck and auspicious signs. We have a modern lantern veranda, as well as traditional lantern area. We emphasize the rustic lantern tradition. And the traditional value has been recognized by many lantern masters."

The tourists are enjoying the traditional lanterns coupled with Jiji town’s rustic atmosphere, and wishing for good luck in the New Year.