Shanghai, January 30 — UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited the Yu Garden Lantern Festival in Shanghai on January 30, experiencing one of China’s most well-known Spring Festival lantern events.
During the visit, Prime Minister Starmer walked across the Nine-Turn Bridge, entered the historic Huxinting Teahouse, and spoke with local visitors. The visit offered an opportunity to observe how traditional Chinese lantern culture continues to engage the public through contemporary festival formats.
The Folk Art Lantern Zone of the Yu Garden Lantern Festival has been jointly developed by Haitian Culture and Yu Garden since 1999. Now in its 31st year, the Yu Garden Lantern Festival has become a long-running public event during the Spring Festival period. Haitian Culture works closely with its partners on content planning, lantern design, and on-site execution, helping shape the lantern exhibition into a well-known seasonal attraction for both residents and visitors.
During the 2025 lantern festival, the event contributed to a 45% increase in overall consumer spending across the Yu Garden area. Sales of cultural and creative products rose 80% year-on-year. The festival currently receives more than 5 million visitors each year, and is widely regarded as one of the most established cultural events in Shanghai during the Chinese New Year.
In addition to projects in China, Haitian Culture has expanded its lantern festival portfolio internationally. In recent years, the company has partnered with amusement parks, zoos, and cultural venues across the United Kingdom to present themed lantern festivals for local audiences. These events are designed as family-friendly nighttime experiences, combining traditional Chinese lantern craftsmanship with localized storytelling and site-specific design.
By bringing lantern festivals to both Chinese and international public spaces, Haitian Culture continues to explore how traditional cultural forms can be adapted for different markets. Prime Minister Starmer’s visit to the Yu Garden Lantern Festival reflects the growing global interest in Chinese lantern art and its role in contemporary cultural exchange.
Post time: Feb-04-2026
