2025 Chengdu Panda Lantern Show Guide for Families

Free family fun! Lights, food, and interactive entertainment for the whole family! 🐼🏮 **🌟Must-see highlights of the 54th Chengdu Panda Lantern Festival** **Dates: January 22–March 9, 2025 (Closed on Chinese New Year's Eve) | Location: Jiangtan Park, High-tech Zone | Free admission with reservation**. The exhibition closes this weekend, March 9, 2025, so don't miss out! This year's lantern show features four themes, including "Flower-filled Jinguang City" and "Night Tour of Jinjiang River." With a reported investment of 32 million and designs by the Central Academy of Fine Arts, it's a fusion of traditional intangible cultural heritage and modern technology! Must-see lantern displays for kids include "Two Treasures Compete for Spring" (featuring the adorable World Games mascots, Shu Bao and Jin Zai), the fantastical "Fuxi Panda and Nuwa Panda" with their entwined serpents, and the immersive water screen projection showcasing Li Bai and Du Fu's poetic Chengdu. **🚗【Transportation + Reservation】Easy guide** **Reservation Guide**: Follow the "54th Chengdu International Panda Lantern Festival" official account, link your ID card number to make reservations in advance. One person can reserve up to 3 tickets. Children also need to be registered! **Subway**: Take Line 1/18 to Century City Station, Exit F, and transfer to the free shuttle bus (operates until closing). **Parking**: Navigate to "Century City New International Convention and Exhibition Center." There are over 7,000 parking spaces, but traffic gets heavy after 6pm, so arrive early! **👨👩👧👦【Family Activities】Fun for all ages** 1. **Interactive Lights**: **Digital Wonderland**: Wave your hands in the AR interactive zone and watch the pandas come to life! **Ice and Snow Carnival**: Visit the ice and snow park next to the lantern show (separate reservation required) for snowball fights and ice slides—a winter wonderland for kids! 2. **Hanfu Experience**: Rent a Hanfu costume (available on-site) and take stunning photos at the "Curved Water Flows" lantern display. 3. **Educational Fun**: Discover hidden cultural gems within the lantern displays and learn about Sanxingdui and Dujiangyan through storytelling. **🍡【Food Guide】Snacks and treats** **Lantern Festival Market**: Enjoy local Sichuan snacks like sugar paintings, "three big cannons," and egg cakes for around 15 yuan per person. Don't miss the adorable limited-edition "Panda Tangyuan"! **Hidden Perks**: Get a 10% discount at nearby restaurants (such as Intime City) with your lantern show reservation code. We recommend "Kao Jiang" for their delicious grilled fish (kid-friendly non-spicy options available). **What to Bring**: A thermos with hot water and small snacks (light meals are available in the park, but they are a bit pricey). **📸【Photo Tips】Capture amazing moments** **Best Photo Spots**: **"Shushan Sunny Snow" Lantern Display**: Capture the stunning layered mountains and glowing pandas with a wide-angle lens. **"Curved Water Flows" Water Screen**: Take silhouette photos at dusk for a magical atmosphere. **Props**: Bring your own rabbit lanterns or light-up headwear, or buy a panda balloon (20 yuan) on-site. **⚠️【Tips】Plan ahead for a smooth trip** **Avoid Peak Times**: Weekends are crowded! Arrive around 5:30pm on a working day, enjoy the activities first, and then admire the lanterns. It's less crowded and easier to take photos after 8pm. **Safety First**: Use a child safety wristband with your contact information. Wear non-slip shoes as some areas can be wet and slippery. **Restroom Tip**: The restrooms near the main entrance are usually less crowded. **✨Blogger's Review**: I spent an hour exploring with my 9-year-old, who loved the Ice and Snow Carnival and the AR interactions. I took over 100 photos! It's a great place for photo enthusiasts. It's a pretty good choice to visit before the exhibition closes. What do you think?