A staff worker examines a dragon lantern at Royal Square in Chengde city, North China's Hebei province, Nov 25, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

The historic city of Chengde in North China's Hebei province is preparing for the second Royal Lantern Fair, which will open on Dec 24, 2014.

This year the fair will cover an area of 180,000 square meters, showcasing over 2,000 lanterns and feature more than 100 performances and recreational activities.

Chengde enjoys great fame as the site of the Mountain Resort, a vast Imperial palace and gardens formerly used by the Qing emperors as a summer retreat.

The lantern fair will highlight the city's inheritance of royal culture and folk culture, as well as its innovations in animation, food and ice and snow culture.