Following Spring Festival, Lantern Festival (Yuanxiaojie) is the happiest occasion for Chinese in this time of year. This year, the Lantern Festival falls on February 12.

Ancient Chinese believed that lanterns drove away all evils and brought peace and happiness. They lit as many lanterns as they could to celebrate the New Year, and gradually developed the ceremony into a grand fair to display lanterns as complex decorations.

It is said that in China, lantern fairs originated in the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24), and were most popular during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907).

Ever since, the lantern has become a symbol of folk art, and lantern fairs have led to a unique culture.

In a few days now, Beijing will showcase modern lantern culture by lighting over 49 large sets of distinctive Chinese lanterns.

Organized by the Promotion Centre for Emergency Assistance, affiliated to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, "Charming Chaoyang," a grand Spring Festival lantern fair, awaits visitors at Chaoyang Park in eastern Beijing.

The fair will light up the Beijing night from 5:30 to 9:30 pm every day, from January 28, Spring Festival Eve, to February 14, Valentine's Day and the second day after the Lantern Festival.

The event has teamed up distinguished lantern experts from a research institute in North China's Shanxi Province, and creative and experienced artists from Zigong of Southwest China's Sichuan Province, a city that enjoys a long history of lantern making.

Recent visitors to the east gate of Chaoyang Park can't miss a huge and glorious ancient gate tower. The first set to welcome future visitors to the upcoming fair, the 10-metre-high tower best reveals the eastern philosophy of magnificence and harmony.

As you walk down, you will see numerous Chinese knots, with warm red lights perfect for the chilly winter evening.

The fair displays traditional designs that resemble imperial lamps, dragon boats and adorable children often seen on nianhua, or Spring Festival pictures.

A lantern set of three independent screens deserves mention. It combines different forms of Chinese folk art: piying, or shadow play, Peking Opera figures and sophisticated paper-cutting designs of auspicious meaning.

Another lantern which showcases varied facial make-up of the Peking Opera distinguishes itself from the other lanterns even in daytime, because of its diversity in colours. Test your knowledge of the historical art by recognising the specific roles these huge faces represent.

There are also lanterns depicting the major events of 2005, such as a spacecraft to commemorate the successful flight of the Shenzhou-VI last October.

The year of 2005 also marks the 600th anniversary of the voyages of Zheng He, a navigator of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Organizers present a lantern set in honour of the remarkable exploration the Great Wall, doves, bronzeware and a huge fleet on which stands a figure of the maritime hero himself.

A set entitled "The light of Olympics," highlights the upcoming Turin Olympics and busy preparations for the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics. It depicts architectural designs of ancient Greece and the Games' emblems.

Children will enjoy the animal and cartoon shaped lanterns.

The fair also puts forth the message of conservation, with varied fauna on display to amaze young visitors.

The animal of 2006 in Chinese culture, the dog plays a leading role at the fair. You may never have seen so many dog lanterns of different breeds and in funny costumes.

Besides, lanterns of Disney cartoons and the 12 zodiac constellations are expected to attract a lot of attention.

Visitors can also participate in interactive games at the fair, such as drumming to pray for auspiciousness, and trying a penalty kick before a football game lantern.