Some 550 handmade watermelon-like lanterns are to shine up the night sky and waters at Pinghu City, east China's Zhejiang Province, during the upcoming "2007 China Pinghu Watermelon Lantern Festival", scheduled to be held on September 22.

A child plays with the finished watermelon lanterns as the craftsmen put the 550 watermelon lanterns in order on Monday, August 27, 2007, in Hangzhou.

The huge satin-made lanterns are up to 50 centimeters in diameter and about 55 centimeters high, with all watermelon-like patterns and colors drawn by men. The whole task has taken more than ten artists nearly two months to finish.

According to reports, 5,000 more other types of watermelon lanterns made by craftsmen in other parts of Zhejing will also arrive at Pinghu to greet the lantern festival.

(CRIENGLISH.com August 28, 2007)