A large-scale lantern show will be held during the upcoming Chinese lunar new year in Pingyao,an ancient town in north China's Shanxi Province.

More than 100groups of lanterns will be displayed from February 9to March 1,decorating 3,600-meter streets across central part of the town.

Pingyao is home to the most complete ancient city walls in China,and also famous for many well-protected dwelling houses,stores,streets,temples,and government offices built in the Ming(1368-1644)and Qing (1644-1911)dynasties.

Pingyao was put on the World Cultural Heritage List in 1997,and has become a leading tourist attraction in north China.

( eastday.com January 23, 2002)