The Pittsburgh Zoo is home to many exotic animals from all
over the world. The The Asian Lantern Festival takes you around the world using hundreds
of cloth illuminated sculptures throughout the zoo. These works
of art line the serpentine pathways taking patrons to the wildlife of the mountains,
African savanna, jungle and the sea in vivid shades of reds, yellows, purples, and more.
It’s a colorful vibrant trip around the world.
Reflection
The ride up to the zoo entrance on the mountainous escalator drops you into another world like Dorothy landing in
Oz, but this time it’s China. The gigantic pagoda is the focal point. It is surrounded
by The Monkey King (from a famous 16 century Chinese novel), a blinking ornate
bust (representing the Chinese Opera) and a Phoenix Corridor (Chinese legendary
bird). The corridor connects to over 10 figures of a Chinese Dynasty. Everything pops with
color against the night sky and many lanterns have moving parts that bounce, twinkle or wave to heighten the ahh factor.
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| White leopards start the journey |
The white leopards in the mountains start the journey. My favorite was an installation of over 20 animals: zebras, elephants, giraffes, impalas, and lions from South Africa. They were located across the only real animal that came to greet us, a baby giraffe.
The sea section is complete with a shiny swimming blue whale. A tunnel of fish makes you feel as if you are diving in a coral reef.
There were so many sculptures that your head spins as you go from an animal to a bird, flower, tree or giant cobra. That’s right, a big red snake about the length of 10 people. There is a photo opt at every bend. Your phone is snapping to the right, left, up and down.
They thought of everything for this around the world experience. Music from Chinese instruments, Chinese acrobatics, traditional dance and pounding drums also entertain. There are interactive games, lighted rainbow swings, and stepping pads that generate pulsating colors on a towering elephant.
The Zoo’s Asian Lantern
Festival not only takes you around the world but transports you to another
world of vibrant color and entertainment.
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| Towering Elephant changes color by stepping pads |
(The Asian Lantern Festival runs through October 29, 2023. The next event is Sip and Swirl on November 11, 2023. The Zoo Lights, a Christmas display, runs from November 24 through December 30, 2023. These special events help support the Zoo. For tickets and more information on these events go to Zoo Events )
Other Sources
https://www.pittsburghzoo.org/event-category-events/
https://www.pittsburghzoo.org/event-sip-swirl/
https://www.pittsburghzoo.org/zoo-lights/