For over 500 years, Gaocheng District in Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province, China, has been crafting lanterns, famously known as “Palace Lanterns.” Legend has it that these lanterns earned their name due to their exquisite craftsmanship and beautiful appearance, often presented as tribute to the palace. As the Spring Festival approaches, Gaocheng’s lantern artisans, particularly master Shi Youquan, are immersed in the busiest season of the year. In celebration of the Year of the Dragon, Shi crafted special palace lanterns featuring dragon-themed designs. Dragon-related themes, such as dragons playing with pearls and dragon and phoenix symbols, are in high demand this year.

The surge in interest in traditional culture has opened new avenues for Gaocheng’s palace lanterns. Innovative products, including craft paper-carved palace lanterns, have gained popularity. Shi Youquan, a master of arts and crafts in Hebei Province and the founder of paper carving palace lanterns, introduced this novel variety, describing it as a cultural and creative product that seamlessly combines traditional paper cutting with the iconic shape of palace lanterns, creating widely accepted and appreciated