A grand lantern festival--"Light of the World Lantern Carnival"--has kicked off in Phoenix, capital of Arizona state, the United States.

A grand lantern festival--"Light of the World Lantern Carnival"--has kicked off in Phoenix, capital of Arizona state, the United States. [File photo]

The festival, co-hosted by China Zigong Lantern Festival & Trade Group and Sichuan Yisite Culture Communication Co., Ltd., opened on November 18.

The festival, the sixth of its kind, highlights more than 100 sets of lanterns featuring new workmanship and designs in seven themed areas: Freedom America, Fantastic Christmas, Mysterious Oriental Charm, Passion Africa, Eco Oceania, Human and Nature and European Markets.

During the grand event, apart from enjoying authentic lantern art, tourists will also have great opportunities to experience unique Chinese culture, try different Chinese gourmet cuisines and have great fun in various cultural activities.

Zigong, a city in southwest China's Sichuan Province, is noted for its lanterns, dinosaur fossils and salt.

The festival will run for 74 days until January 30, 2017.