The seventh International Lantern Show has opened in Zigong City, southwest China's Sichuan Province.

The 50-day show ,which began Thursday, is displaying 69 varieties of lanterns, which feature scenic spots, historical and mythical stories, folk art and economic development in western China.

The Zigong lantern show dates back more than 800 years. The city has held lantern shows in more than 40 cities in the interior areas of China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, as well as in foreign countries including Singapore, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and the Republic of Korea.

(People's Daily 01/20/2001)