Pic story of lantern-making inheritor in Nanjing, China's Jiangsu

Lu Min makes a lantern during the 40th Qinhuai Lantern Festival at the Bailuzhou Park in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 21, 2026. Lu Min, 58, was born in a family of lantern-making business, which originated with his great-grandfather Lu Shirong. The junior Lu started to learn this craft from his father when he was 8.

The past decades saw Lu's career life closely connected with the development of the Qinhuai Lantern Festival. He has witnessed the gradual evolution of this traditional custom from a local event into a grand celebration.

In September 2020, he was officially recognized as a provincial-level inheritor of Qinhuai Lantern Festival.

"Making a batch of lanterns each year is like seeing my children off," said Lu. Festive atmosphere are much easily felt as lanterns Lu and his coworkers have made light up the streets and lanes in the time-honored city of Nanjing. [Photo/Xinhua]