The annual Yuyuan Lantern Festival kicked off on Monday in Shanghai and will expand for the first time to several other areas near The Bund, featuring diverse collections of lanterns to mark the upcoming Year of the Horse.

Running through March 3, this year's celebration is set to extend beyond Yuyuan Garden Malls to The Bund Finance Center, Ancient City Park, Middle Fangbang Road, Fuyou Road, and The Bund, which will light up on Feb 1.

With colorful and traditional lanterns blended with technologies and artistic fashion, the illuminated areas will connect the past, present and future of the city's major landmarks, and offer visitors diverse experiences such as sightseeing, interactive activities, shopping, delicacies, and cultural events.

As the core part of the festival, the theme and light installations at Yuyuan are also inspired by Shan Hai Jing, or The Classic of Mountains and Seas, a major source of Chinese mythology that dates back over 2,000 years.