STORY: Colorful lanterns brighten "underground courtyards" in China's Sanmenxia
SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage
DATELINE: Jan. 21, 2025
LENGTH: 00:01:43
LOCATION: SANMENXIA, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of colorful lanterns in underground courtyards of Sanmenxia City, central China's Henan Province
2. various of intangible cultural heritage performances
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): LI QIUYU, Tourist
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): ZHANG YAN, Tourist
5. various of colorful lanterns in underground courtyards of Sanmenxia City, central China's Henan Province
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): YU QINGQING, Tourist

STORYLINE:

As Spring Festival approaches, the "underground courtyards" in Sanmenxia are lit up with colorful lanterns.

Visitors are drawn to the vibrant lantern displays and rich intangible cultural heritage performances.

The event showcases 30 creative lanterns blending tradition with modern light shows.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): LI QIUYU, Tourist
"My favorite lantern is the dragon-shaped one. The combination of these ancient buildings and lanterns creates a special kind of beauty, which I really like."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): ZHANG YAN, Tourist
"This year, the atmosphere is wonderful, full of festive cheer. Friends from all over are warmly welcomed to visit the 'underground courtyards.'"

The unique "underground courtyards," with over 4,000 years of history, are a unique folk dwelling in central China's mountainous areas.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): YU QINGQING, Tourist
"This is my first time visiting the 'underground courtyards.' It's really amazing. It's a village built underground, and I've also experienced the intangible cultural heritage of the 'underground courtyards.'"

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Sanmenxia, China.
(XHTV)