Light adding color to Beijing winter nights

Winter nights back here in the capital are often characterized by bitter cold, but the atmosphere seems to be getting warmer as the Fourth Beijing Light Festival opened last Friday at Solana, lighting up the festival venue, as well as numerous visitors' hearts.

Covering an area of 130,000 square meters, the display features more than 1,000 art works based on fairy tales and highlights the Mediterranean-style buildings.

Under an environment-friendly concept, the administrative office chose the decoration materials very carefully with an intention to minimize the festival's energy consumption.

The Beijing Light Festival was launched in 2008. This year's event will last 76 days till February in 2012.

During this period, there will also be other activities, including a giant jigsaw puzzle game, Santa parade, Cinderella-themed party and photography contest.