Face Changer lights up the Lanterns at Edinburgh Zoo

The Giant Lanterns of China welcomes the Face Changer to their winter extravaganza event.

One of China’s most dramatic performers Guofan Jin has brought this unique native art form all the way to Edinburgh Zoo from the Sichuan Province in China, Sichuan is the birthplace of Edinburgh’s Zoo’s giant Panda Tian Tian and Yang Guang, writes Olivia Dobson.

By using illusion and dramatic costume over 50 nights he will tell a mystical story in an enchanting performance.

A Face Changer at the Giant Lanterns of China

The Giant Lanterns of China is an installation of over 450 dazzling colossal lanterns that illuminate the Zoo creating a captivating atmosphere.

The route is approximately one mile long and will take around an hour and a half to complete. There is a combination of huge impressive structures and other smaller animal lanterns such as chameleons, peacocks and pandas, lions, butterflies and even beavers! All the lanterns are beautifully and hand crafted with the use of traditional techniques by Chinese artists.

It’s a sight to behold at the Giant Lanterns of China

 As well as The Face Changer, there are other special surprises guaranteed to entertain visitors including performances and wintery hot food and drinks such as the Tsingtao Beer . There a Christmas market-place with hand-made crafts from Chinese artisans. Sadly you won’t see any of the animals as most of them are inside keeping warm!

The event is running until 25 February and tickets for the extravaganza that is The Giant Lanterns of China are available online at edinburghzoo.org.uk/lanterns  and are priced from £9.50.

Remember to wear outdoor winter clothes to keep cosy in the cold winter weather.