Photo taken on Jan 22 shows the lanterns on display in Xianhua Town, Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Lanterns are a quintessential element at Spring Festival and they have taken centerstage at the month-long lantern festival which kicked off in Xianhua Town, or Flower Town, in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province on Jan 22 to welcome the upcoming Chinese New Year.