Flower festival teams tradition with technology

With spring arriving in Shanghai and vibrant flowers blooming across the city, the annual Huazhao Festival held in the city's Yuyuan is attracting visitors in traditional Chinese culture in a modern, dynamic way.

The flower festival, held the second month of the lunar calendar to celebrate the flower goddess' birthday, boasts a history of over 2,000 years. According to ancient beliefs, the flower goddess controls human reproduction, and celebrating her birthday has become a custom to bring prosperity.

Running until the end of April, this year's festival integrates traditional culture with modern technology, offering visitors a feast for the eyes and ears. Colorful light shows, parades of performers dressed as the flower goddess, and dance and musical performances are taking place at landmarks within Yuyuan, including its Central Plaza, Gold Plaza and Jiuqu (Zigzag) Bridge areas.