A girl tries to solve a riddle with her mother in Nantong. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Nantong came alive with vibrant folk cultural activities on March 3, carefully organized to boost the festive spirit of Lantern Festival.

From solving lantern riddles and strolling through bustling markets to enjoying captivating performances, both locals and tourists immersed themselves in the charm of traditional culture as they celebrated the festival.

The 17th annual Lantern Festival celebrations began at the main venue, Nantong Eminent Figures Museum. The event showcased a variety of special performances, including lion dances, Haimen folk songs, and puppet shows. Thousands of riddles highlighting Nantong's rich culture and intangible heritage drew enthusiastic participation.

In addition to the main venue, the Wenfeng Plaza sub-venue featured unique activities such as an intangible cultural heritage and creative market, a Lantern Festival-themed cultural performance, and a garden party. Additionally, the Linggong School sub-venue and the No 6 bus loop simultaneously hosted lantern riddle-guessing activities.

A special exhibition on Lantern Festival made a spectacular debut at Nantong Xingdong International Airport. Six intangible cultural heritage items were showcased, including blue calico cloth and Nantong simulation embroidery. Artisans provided live demonstrations and explanations of their crafts, with exquisite works displayed, offering travelers an immersive cultural experience. The airport also hosted lantern riddle activities, which attracted enthusiastic participation from travelers.