Lu Min makes a lantern during the 40th Qinhuai Lantern Festival at the Bailuzhou Park in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 21, 2026. Lu Min, 58, was born in a family of lantern-making business, which originated with his great-grandfather Lu Shirong. The junior Lu started to learn this craft from his father when he was 8.

The past decades saw Lu's career life closely connected with the development of the Qinhuai Lantern Festival. He has witnessed the gradual evolution of this traditional custom from a local event into a grand celebration.

In September 2020, he was officially recognized as a provincial-level inheritor of Qinhuai Lantern Festival.

"Making a batch of lanterns each year is like seeing my children off," said Lu. Festive atmosphere are much easily felt as lanterns Lu and his coworkers have made light up the streets and lanes in the time-honored city of Nanjing. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

Lu Min makes a lantern at his studio in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

Lu Min displays a lantern themed the Year of the Horse at his studio in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

Lu Min arranges lanterns themed the Year of the Horse at his studio in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

Lu Min (L) introduces the procedures of lantern making during the 40th Qinhuai Lantern Festival at the Bailuzhou Park in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

Lu Min checks the light installation work during the 40th Qinhuai Lantern Festival at the Bailuzhou Park in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

Lu Min makes preparations at his booth during the 40th Qinhuai Lantern Festival at the Bailuzhou Park in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

Lu Min looks at the light installation work during the 40th Qinhuai Lantern Festival at the Bailuzhou Park in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

Lu Min makes a lantern at his studio in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

Lu Min packs a lantern with a box before attending the 40th Qinhuai Lantern Festival at the Bailuzhou Park in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

Lu Min makes a lantern at his studio in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

Lu Min looks at the light installation work during the 40th Qinhuai Lantern Festival at the Bailuzhou Park in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Bo)