Sichuan's dragons burn bright

In Deyang, which is about 88 kilometers from Chengdu, a 37-day lantern festival that runs until March 9 is being staged in Xuanzhuhu Park.

Covering 53 hectares and featuring 1,060 groups of lanterns, the festival features relics from the Sanxingdui Ruins, traditional customs pertaining to Spring Festival and contemporary light sculptures.

Golden masks and ivory lanterns from the Sanxingdui Ruins are the most popular icons among visitors, says Deyang Party committee information officer Zeng Jielin.

The Sanxingdui Ruins, which were discovered in 1929 by a farmer digging a ditch in his fields, and the Jinsha Ruins are closely related. Archaeologists have made comprehensive analyses of relics from both ruins, including gold, bronze, jade, stone, ivory and pottery, and have found similarities in their types, shapes and production techniques.