Traditional fish-shaped lanterns boost rural economy through innovation in E China’s Anhui

Tourists shop at a souvenir shop themed on fish-shaped lanterns in Zhanqi Village, Shexian County, Huangshan City of east China's Anhui Province, March 1, 2026.

Local villagers in Shexian have the tradition to make fish-shaped lanterns, an intangible cultural heritage, on festival days to pray for harvest and good fortune.

The parade with fish-shaped lanterns is an important folk cultural activity held during traditional festivals.

Nowadays, apart from parades with fish-shaped lanterns, local people have made efforts on developing new business forms related to the fish-shaped lantern including tourism and cultural and creative products. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

Villagers make fish-shaped lanterns in Zhanqi Village, Shexian County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, March 1, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

A fish-shaped lantern performing team stages a performance in Shexian County, Huangshan City of east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 28, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

People watch a fish-shaped lanterns performance in Shexian County, Huangshan City of east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 4, 2026. (Photo by Shi Yalei/Xinhua)

A villager makes a fish-shaped lantern in Wangmantian Village, Shexian County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, March 1, 2026. (Photo by Fan Chengzhu/Xinhua)

A staff member presents a product at a souvenir shop themed on fish-shaped lanterns in Zhanqi Village, Shexian County, Huangshan City of east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

A craftsman makes a fish-shaped lantern in Zhanqi Village, Shexian County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, March 1, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

A tourist poses for photos with fish-shaped lanterns in Wangmantian Village, Shexian County, Huangshan City of east China's Anhui Province, March 1, 2026. (Photo by Shi Yalei/Xinhua)

People watch a fish-shaped lanterns parade in Shexian County, Huangshan City of east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 14, 2026. (Photo by Shi Yalei/Xinhua)

A craftswoman presents a fish-shaped lantern in Shexian County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 28, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

Tourists shop at a souvenir shop themed on fish-shaped lanterns in Zhanqi Village, Shexian County, Huangshan City of east China's Anhui Province, March 1, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

People watch a fish-shaped lanterns performance in Shexian County, Huangshan City of east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 4, 2026. (Photo by Shi Yalei/Xinhua)

Performers holding fish-shaped lanterns perform in Shexian County, Huangshan City of east China's Anhui Province, Dec. 19, 2025. (Photo by Shi Yalei/Xinhua)

Tourists learn to make fish-shaped lanterns in Wangmantian Village, Shexian County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, March 1, 2026. (Photo by Shi Yalei/Xinhua)

People watch a fish-shaped lanterns performance in Shexian County, Huangshan City of east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 4, 2026. (Photo by Shi Yalei/Xinhua)

People watch a fish-shaped lanterns parade in Shexian County, Huangshan City of east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 14, 2026. (Photo by Shi Yalei/Xinhua)

A tourist holding a fish-shaped lantern poses for photos in Zhanqi Village, Shexian County, Huangshan City of east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 14, 2026. (Photo by Shi Yalei/Xinhua)

Villagers parade with fish-shaped lanterns in Wangmantian Village, Shexian County, Huangshan City of east China's Anhui Province, March 1, 2026. (Photo by Shi Yalei/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 29, 2026 shows a fish-shaped lantern at an ancestral hall in Zhanqi Village, Shexian County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province. (Photo by Fan Chengzhu/Xinhua)

A tourist holding a fish-shaped lantern poses for photos in Zhanqi Village, Shexian County, Huangshan City of east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 14, 2026. (Photo by Shi Yalei/Xinhua)