As the Chinese New Year approaches, a lantern workshop in Hai'an, Nantong, Jiangsu province, is entering its annual peak season of production and sales.

Deng Yufa, the workshop's manager, shared that the lantern-making process is divided into stages and outsourced to over 30 households in the village. These villagers make valuable contributions to the production of lanterns for Deng's workshop.

One of the first in Hai'an to make a living from lantern production, Deng explained that due to the village's remote location, residents rely on farming, and many had to seek work elsewhere. Deng, who was also working away from home, identified the business potential of lanterns and decided to revive this traditional craft.

From studying blueprints to independent exploration, after more than a decade of dedication, Deng has become highly skilled in various specifications of lanterns. His reputation for crafting large red lanterns has attracted customers from neighboring areas.

"Lantern production and sales usually peak in the second half of the year. In the first half, we visit markets in various places to understand popular styles and identify customer needs. After the Spring Festival, we begin preparing for end-of-year production," Deng explained.

Over the past decade, his lantern business has continually expanded. Currently, the family workshop produces over 600 lanterns daily, primarily selling to nearby towns and cities, as well as in Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, and other regions. The workshop produces approximately 150,000 to 200,000 lanterns annually.

An aerial view of the lanterns at Deng Yufa's workshop in Hai'an. [Photo/Nantong Daily]