As the Chinese New Year approaches, Huiquan Square in Qingdao, Shandong province has put on a large-scale lantern festival to welcome Spring Festival, which is the most important of all traditional Chinese festivities and falls on Feb 1 this year.

The Huiquan Square Lantern Festival creates a festive atmosphere ahead of Spring Festival in Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo by Zhang Wenbo/Qingdao News]

Visitors take photos in front of a set of lanterns at Huiquan Square in Shinan district, Qingdao. [Photo by Zhang Wenbo/Qingdao News]

The Huiquan Square Lantern Festival will last until mid-February to celebrate the Chinese New Year. [Photo by Zhang Wenbo/Qingdao News]

The Huiquan Square Lantern Festival creates a jubilant atmosphere for the upcoming Spring Festival in Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo by Zhang Wenbo/Qingdao News]

A visitor takes photos of the lanterns displayed at the Huiquan Square in Shinan district of Qingdao. [Photo by Zhang Wenbo/Qingdao News]

A lighted dragon lantern is displayed at the Huiquan Square in Shinan district of Qingdao. [Photo by Zhang Wenbo/Qingdao News]

A tiger-shaped lantern is displayed at the Huiquan Square. The year 2022 is the Year of the Tiger, according to the Chinese zodiac. [Photo by Zhang Wenbo/Qingdao News]

Visitors take photos with the lanterns displayed at the Huiquan Square in Shinan district of Qingdao. [Photo by Zhang Wenbo/Qingdao News]