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As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, which falls on September 29 this year, Guangxiao Lu (光孝路) in Yuexiu district of Guangzhou is illuminated by hundreds of decorative lanterns for sale.

The impressive amount and various styles of lanterns have attracted many people to shop and take photos. Wearing Hanfu (traditional Chinese clothing) and holding a lantern in hand, one seems to travel back to the ancient times.

Here, Tianjiuhang (天就行) is one of few handmade lantern shops in the city. It has been opened for 28 years. The shop offers not only classic lanterns in the shapes of rabbit, lotus and goldfish, but also lanterns with creative designs or popular cartoon characters to meet customers' demand.

The lanterns are generally made of gauze, silk fabrics and cellophane. Some are lighted up by candles while most others by electricity.

Even a small lantern with simple design takes 2-3 hours to finish, Peng Shaoying, the shop owner said, adding that the hand-making techniques of lanterns have been passed down for three generations.
 
Sources and photos: 广州越秀发布，信息时报，广州日报
Author: Pauline