Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China, would be pleased to see this photo taken at the Chinese Lantern Festival in Philadelphia. The handmade lanterns represent soldiers in his impressive and imposing Terracotta Army, platoons of clay soldiers constructed to protect him in the afterlife.
They are just a handful of the hundreds of lanterns illuminating Franklin Square, everything from goldfish and pandas to a 200-foot dragon…and are quite a sight to behold–perhaps one of the highlights of the festival.
The real Terracotta Army, in case you’re wondering, is made up of 6000 sculptures of the armies of Huang. They were hidden for 2200 years, only discovered in 1974.
The festival is worth checking out–especially if you like animals, Chinese culture, etc. and would appreciate seeing the work of lantern artisans from China. There are live performances, including acrobatics, which I unfortunately missed. There’s also a beer tent (which I did not miss) and festival items to purchase. There’s also food, which is somewhat hit or miss. Go for the grilled meats, which are probably the best bet.
Click here for more information about the festival and to buy tickets. The last night is June 18th. Enjoy!
Read more about the Terracotta Army here.
