Kunshan, Jiangsu Province holds the 2026 Cross-Strait Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival. Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait enjoy the lanterns and pray together

China News Service, Kunshan, September 26 (Reporter Zhong Sheng) On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival on the 25th, at the 2026 Cross-Strait (Kunshan) Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival in Kunshan, Jiangsu Province, various lantern groups with elements from both sides of the Taiwan Strait were scattered in the streets and lanes of ancient houses.

The theme of this year's Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival is "Flowers bloom and lights shine on both sides of the Taiwan Strait". At the Huiju Plaza in Kunshan, a cross-strait exchange base, various themed lantern groups are arranged at random. The colorful lanterns reflect the ancient buildings with Fujian and Taiwan characteristics. The cornices are cleverly matched with the gorgeous light and shadow. The traditional lanterns complement the trendy elements. People, old and young, shuttle around to enjoy the lanterns and check in.

People from both sides of the Taiwan Strait walked into the 2026 Cross-Strait (Kunshan) Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival to enjoy the lanterns and celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. Photo by China News Service reporter Zhong Sheng

"Seeing the nostalgic street style of southern Fujian in Jiangnan, which combines elements of old Taiwanese neighborhoods such as Jiji Station, Baodao Theater, Ganzai Shop, and retro tricycles, it feels like I have stepped into an old movie. I watched the lantern show with my family and watched folk performances on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and I had a different Mid-Autumn Festival." Yang Jie, a tourist from Shaanxi Province, said.

More than 20 themed light groups each have their own unique style. The main lighting group of "Yuanjulu City" incorporates the elements of ancient Fujian and Taiwan architecture and Phalaenopsis, with parallel lotus and Lingxiao Pagoda, connected by the ancient lotus bridge, and the shape of leaping deer shows auspiciousness and peace; the "Family in the World", "Seven Star Bridge" and "Intangible Cultural Heritage Version of Nezha Third Prince" lighting group , closely adheres to the core of "two sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family" and presents the folk custom characteristics of both sides of the Taiwan Strait; the "Children's Heart Co-painted" lamp group is based on the paintings of teenagers on both sides of the Taiwan Strait; the "Taste in Treasure Island" lamp group replicates the fireworks streets and alleys of Taiwan's night markets and expresses the best wishes for the prosperity of all industries.

"This year, the addition of digital light and shadow, AR interaction and other technologies has made traditional lantern viewing more integrated." Sun Decong, president of the Kunshan Taiwan Association, said that at the lantern design competition exhibition jointly participated by young people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait, various ingenious designs showed the expectations of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to pray for reunion. "Every lantern will have allusions and is full of creativity."

People taste Taiwanese specialties such as large intestines wrapped in small intestines at the Baodao Youyi Village Market. Photo by China News Service reporter Zhong Sheng

In Baodao Youyi Village Market, the aroma of oyster omelette, the crispiness of salt-fried chicken, the sweet glutinousness of wheel cakes, the sweetness of Soviet-style desserts... long queues form in front of various snack stalls. Cultural and creative stalls such as velvet flower, Song brocade, cloisonné enamel, and lacquer art showcased handcrafted works. Visitors walked around and picked out their favorite small items.

The lantern festival will last until October 31. During this period, Kunshan will launch a series of activities called "One Hundred Thousand Taiwanese Businessmen and Taiwanese Compatriots Visit Kunshan", linking up five distinctive cultural tourism brands of "lanterns, operas, balls, coffee and crabs", and supporting cross-strait art exhibitions and amusement park parties. , forest "Moonlight Gathering", cross-strait concerts and other diverse activities take into account traditional culture, trendy experience, and benefit consumption, enrich the night cultural life of citizens and tourists, and build a broad platform for compatriots on both sides of the strait to enjoy lanterns, talk about nostalgia, and promote exchanges. (over)