As the end of the weeks-long Chinese New Year and Lantern Festival drew to a close, we knew we had to take advantage of our close proximity to Bailuzhou Park to see the lanterns all lit up at night. Liz decided to stay back, but Amanda went along with us. Little did we know that this was the last night of the festival...we found out later that there were 100,000 people in the park that night! (or 400,000 depending on which part of the article you believe! Either way, is was very crowded.) A quote from whatsonxiamen.com, "No incidences occurred despite the crowded conditions, for staff from Xiamen Municipal Works and Gardens Administration Bureau and Xiamen Public Security Bureau attended Bailuzhou Park to maintain order." What this also meant was that the closest pedestrian bridge from our side of the water into the main part of the park (the one my girls are crossing in their roller blades in the previous post) was reserved for people exiting the park. There were at least twenty security guys in green army-like uniforms stationed at this spot alone. So we were forced to follow the sea of humanity along the water to the car/pedestrian bridge and into the main entrance of the park. The photo above is a glimpse through the trees from the first bridge...looks like the place is on fire!
The main entrance with its giant 2010 lantern, though the number is not very legible.
This photo of our girls and their American and Danish friends was actually taken a week or so earlier while we were on our way to dinner. We didn't linger too long in the park that night because we thought it was too crowded...classic newbie mistake.
There were lanterns scattered everywhere, some in large scenes and others lined up along the walkways. We liked this peacock-type guy.
Lots of people passing under a walkway. Notice the traditional Sponge Bob Square Pants balloon on the left side...East meets West when it comes to selling junk that vendors know kids will beg their parents to buy. We resisted the urge to purchase light-up head gear and flying whirly-gigs.
More gateways and backs of heads.
We think this lady represented one of the many ethnic minority tribes found throughout China.
The "Great Wall." This was not in place during my previous day time trip to the park so this was from the day after our night visit.
The Wall at night--it was made of the same thick wire and fabric covering as the lanterns.
Smiling, upright tigers were a very popular theme as all of China welcomed the Year of the Tiger.
A very happy tiger at the entrance to the exit-only foot bridge. Many strangers also have this picture on their blogs as they took the chance to snap photos of my cute little daughter!
Night view of the floating water scene lantern.
One last parting shot. We were told that small lanterns would be lit with real flames and allowed to float into the sky during the nights of the festival but we never saw any. We were also hoping to see some of the world famous Chinese fireworks, but we read that they were being displayed out at the beach and we were unable to get out there. There is a ban on fireworks on the island of Xiamen but lots of people who live across the water were kind enough to "share" with us...in the form of extremely loud and echoing blasts that mostly occurred some time after midnight, even on the weeknights. All in all, Chinese New Year gave us lots of new and unusual experiences sites to behold!
As the end of the weeks-long Chinese New Year and Lantern Festival drew to a close, we knew we had to take advantage of our close proximity to Bailuzhou Park to see the lanterns all lit up at night. Liz decided to stay back, but Amanda went along with us. Little did we know that this was the last night of the festival...we found out later that there were 100,000 people in the park that night! (or 400,000 depending on which part of the article you believe! Either way, is was very crowded.) A quote from whatsonxiamen.com, "No incidences occurred despite the crowded conditions, for staff from Xiamen Municipal Works and Gardens Administration Bureau and Xiamen Public Security Bureau attended Bailuzhou Park to maintain order." What this also meant was that the closest pedestrian bridge from our side of the water into the main part of the park (the one my girls are crossing in their roller blades in the previous post) was reserved for people exiting the park. There were at least twenty security guys in green army-like uniforms stationed at this spot alone. So we were forced to follow the sea of humanity along the water to the car/pedestrian bridge and into the main entrance of the park. The photo above is a glimpse through the trees from the first bridge...looks like the place is on fire!
The main entrance with its giant 2010 lantern, though the number is not very legible.
This photo of our girls and their American and Danish friends was actually taken a week or so earlier while we were on our way to dinner. We didn't linger too long in the park that night because we thought it was too crowded...classic newbie mistake.
There were lanterns scattered everywhere, some in large scenes and others lined up along the walkways. We liked this peacock-type guy.
Lots of people passing under a walkway. Notice the traditional Sponge Bob Square Pants balloon on the left side...East meets West when it comes to selling junk that vendors know kids will beg their parents to buy. We resisted the urge to purchase light-up head gear and flying whirly-gigs.
More gateways and backs of heads.
We think this lady represented one of the many ethnic minority tribes found throughout China.
The "Great Wall." This was not in place during my previous day time trip to the park so this was from the day after our night visit.
The Wall at night--it was made of the same thick wire and fabric covering as the lanterns.
Smiling, upright tigers were a very popular theme as all of China welcomed the Year of the Tiger.
A very happy tiger at the entrance to the exit-only foot bridge. Many strangers also have this picture on their blogs as they took the chance to snap photos of my cute little daughter!
Night view of the floating water scene lantern.
One last parting shot. We were told that small lanterns would be lit with real flames and allowed to float into the sky during the nights of the festival but we never saw any. We were also hoping to see some of the world famous Chinese fireworks, but we read that they were being displayed out at the beach and we were unable to get out there. There is a ban on fireworks on the island of Xiamen but lots of people who live across the water were kind enough to "share" with us...in the form of extremely loud and echoing blasts that mostly occurred some time after midnight, even on the weeknights. All in all, Chinese New Year gave us lots of new and unusual experiences sites to behold!
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