The Lantern Festival falls on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month, usually in February or March in the Gregorian calendar. As early as the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 25), it had become a festival with great significance.
　　This days important activity is watching lanterns. Throughout the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), Buddhism flourished in China. One emperor heard that Buddhist monks would watch sarira, or remains from the cremation of Buddhas body, and ligmon people and its influence expanded from the Central Plains to the whole of China.
　　Till today, the lantern festival is still held each year around the country. Lanterns of various shapes and sizes are hung in the streets, attracting countless visitors. Children will hold self-made or bought lanterns to stroll with on the streets, extremely excited. Guessing lantern riddlesis an essential part of the Festival.
　　元宵节是在阴历正月的十五，通常在阳历的二月或三月。早在西汉时期(公元前206年至公元25年)，它已经成为具有重要意义的节日。
　　这一天的重要活动看花灯。在汉代(公元前206年至公元220年)，佛教在中国盛行。一个皇帝听说僧侣可以看到舍利，或是从火化的佛体中能得到舍利，他就下令阴历第一个月的第十五天在故宫和寺庙点灯拜佛来展示对佛的尊敬。后来，佛教仪式发展成为普通民众的重大节日，而其影响从中原地区一直蔓延到整个中国。
　　直到今天，全国各地每年都举行元宵节。各种形状和大小的灯笼挂在街上，吸引无数的游客。孩子们提着自制或购买的灯笼在街上闲逛，非常兴奋。”猜灯谜”是这个节日的重要组成部分。