China in Twilight

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On the closing day of the Harbin Ice-Snow World, crowds of tourists gathered to capture the breathtaking icy landscapes, February 26, 2025. (Photo from VCG)

As the setting sun dips below the horizon, fiery hues paint the sky, draping China’s landscapes—from northern snowscapes to southern waterways, from neon-lit cities to tranquil villages—in a veil of soft twilight. Every vista is accented by the profound romance of poetry.

In Sanxi Village, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, locals uphold their unique tradition of nighttime dragon boat races during the Dragon Boat Festival. (Photo by Lin Zuxian)

Meili Snow Mountain in Yunnan Province becomes drenched in golden rays while lakes in Sichuan Province’s Jiuzhai Valley shimmer like kaleidoscopic gems. In Guilin, bamboo rafts glide along the Lijiang River’s gilded currents, and Hangzhou’s West Lake glistens like molten gold, mirroring Leifeng Pagoda’s silhouette. Meanwhile, northern ice kingdoms awaken in magic: Harbin’s ice castles glow with iridescent twilight, resembling crystalline fairy tales, while Qipan Mountain in Liaoning Province reflects tangerine skies over its frozen lake, stirring boundless wonder.
As the last light fades, neon lights in scenic spots like Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour, Shanghai’s Bund, and Chongqing’s Hongyadong glow with vibrancy. In Beijing’s alleys and lanes, the sweetness of roasted chestnuts wafts in the air; Suzhou’s Pingjiang Road echoes with the melodic storytelling of Suzhou Opera; and Chengdu’s Kuanzhai Alley come alive with Sichuan Opera performances amid tea aroma and steamy hotpot feasts. These scenes welcome travelers from afar, heralding the spectacle of myriad household lights and China’s nocturnal wonders.

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