On the evening of February 1st, Guo Guangchang, Chairman of Fosun Group, posted on Weibo that after finishing a day's work, he took a night tour of the 2026 Yuyuan Lantern Festival and shared the experience via his microblog.
Guo Guangchang stated that from Yuyuan to BFC and then to the Bund, the Chinese New Year has never been just about reunion dinners and red envelopes; it represents the roots and inheritance of a culture. Fosun has always firmly believed that as long as the products are sufficiently good and the experiences are sufficiently sincere, they can touch people's hearts. This year's lantern festival is an epitome of this philosophy—it allows longtime Shanghai residents to rediscover memories, helps new Shanghai residents understand tradition, and lets global tourists experience a uniquely Shanghainese-style Spring Festival.
The following is the original text of his Weibo post: Just finished a busy day's work, and taking advantage of the beautiful night, I went for a stroll through the Yuyuan Lantern Festival.
From the Nine-Bend Bridge to the Central Square, the "Shan Hai Qi Yu Ji" (Fantastic Encounter in the Mountains and Seas) series has now swiftly reached its fourth season, titled the "Wilderness Chapter." But what surprised me most about this year's festival was how the lantern displays truly "stepped beyond the eight gates," with six districts interconnected and fully illuminated today. In the past, we often confined the festival within the Yuyuan Market area, but this year, the myriad lights of Fangbang Middle Road, the vibrant market atmosphere of Fuyou Road, and the tranquility of the Ancient City Park extend all the way to BFC and the Shiliupu area of the Bund, creating a complete "New Year atmosphere route." Walking slowly along this path, one encounters the warmth of the old city, BFC's trendy Pop Mart installations, and the dazzling splendor of the Bund—each step offers a new scene, connecting Shanghai's history with its future.
Walking from Yuyuan to BFC and then to the Bund, admiring the lanterns along the way, I increasingly felt that the New Year is never just about reunion meals and red envelopes; it is about the cultural roots and heritage. Fosun has always firmly believed that as long as the products are sufficiently good and the experiences are sufficiently sincere, they can touch people's hearts. This year's lantern festival is an epitome of this philosophy—it allows longtime Shanghai residents to rediscover memories, helps new Shanghai residents understand tradition, and lets global tourists experience a uniquely Shanghainese-style Spring Festival.
As the New Year approaches, I hope we can all, as this year's lantern festival theme suggests, move forward steadfastly on the wilderness of life, turning dreams into reality. Guangchang here wishes everyone an early Happy New Year, and I also welcome everyone to come to Greater Yuyuan, walk this new route, and feel this "most Shanghai" New Year atmosphere!
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