On the evening of February 18, the ninth day of the first lunar month, a charity festive lantern party was held at the Miaoling Temple in Min'an Community in Nantou Town. Eleven lucky festive lanterns were successfully auctioned off, raising some 400,000 yuan.
The sponsors said that the funds raised would be used for Miaoling Temple's daily expenses and maintenance, and to assist underprivileged students and families in the community.
"Nantou Lantern Party" is a traditional folk activity held during the Spring Festival every year by temples and people's communes in Nantou Town, with a history of almost 200 years. By hanging lanterns and hosting banquets, local people pray for blessings for the new year, and participate in festive lantern auctions to raise funds for public welfare.
On the ninth day of the first lunar month every year, Min'an Community organizes a charity festive lantern party at Miaoling Temple.
In July 2010, "Nantou Lantern Party" was selected in the third batch of intangible cultural heritage items in Zhongshan. In May 2018, it was selected in the seventh batch of intangible cultural heritage items in Guangdong Province.