Rows of lanterns glowed, adding a festive mood to Yuxian county, North China's Hebei province, as Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, draws near.

Despite temperatures dropping lower than -10 C when night fell, crowds arrived bundled up in winter coats, gloves, scarves and hats to tour the lanterns with their families at the central square of the ancient county that boasts a history of more than 1,400 years.

It's the opening day of the 2019 Lantern Show themed "Prosperous Chinese New Year". The event features LED installations of lanterns with traditional Chinese elements, such as lotuses, auspicious animals and paper-cuts, as well as the sporting spirit of the county located in Zhangjiakou city, which will join hands with Beijing to host the 2020 Winter Olympics.