As the Spring Festival approaches, Chengkan ancient village in Huizhou district is set to host its lively Fish Lantern Parade once again. This long-standing folk tradition draws visitors from near and far eager to experience it firsthand.

Chengkan's Fish Lantern Parade dates back to the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). In earlier times, villagers crafted lifelike, fish-shaped lanterns from bamboo frames and paper, parading them through the streets at night to pray for safety and peace. Because the Chinese word for "fish" (yu) sounds like the word for "surplus," the lanterns symbolize abundance, good fortune, and prosperity. They remain an important cultural emblem for the Huizhou people, carrying forward nostalgia and expressing heartfelt hopes for a better life.

Today, each Spring Festival season the fish lanterns take center stage in Chengkan. As night falls, lanterns of various shapes and sizes glide through lanes and streets, their shimmering lights like fish swimming through the dark. Paired with the warm glow from countless windows, they create a rich, enchanting festive atmosphere that envelops the ancient village.