The night sky is aglow with fireworks over Wulan ancient town, Zhangye, Gansu province, on Jan 31. [Photo provided to gogansu.com]

The largest array of lights in China, the Jiuqu Yellow River Lights Array, was lit up in Wulan ancient town, Zhangye, Gansu province, on Jan 31, to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival that falls on Feb 5.

The display covers an area of 100,000 square meters, with its tourist trail reaching a length of 2.4 kilometers.

There are 365 bright lanterns set up under flags, representing the 365 days in a year. More than 700 cultural walls display 28 lunar mansions, 24 solar terms, 12 zodiac signs, the Five Elements and Four Symbols, and local cultural elements, such as Zhangye, the Hexi Corridor and the Silk Road.

Visitors can also watch the fireworks, temple shows, and dragon dancing while visiting the lights.

The lights originated from rituals during the Shang Dynasty (c. 16th century-11th century BC), and boasts a historical and cultural heritage with thousands of years of history. It was listed as a provincial intangible cultural heritage of Gansu and was recognized as China's Largest-scale Lights Array by Shanghai China Records Headquarters.