Chinese New Year: a free sound and light show at the China Cultural Center — our review

For the Chinese New Year, the Chinese Cultural Center will light up the courtyard face of its building with a stunning free sound and light show. From February 16 to 25, 2026, evening sessions lasting 10 to 20 minutes invite visitors to explore the Light of the Yungang Caves, an immersive experience that unveils the sculptural beauty of ancient millennium caves and the textures of historic architecture.

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The Yungang Caves in Shanxi, China, built starting in the 5th century A.D., have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, they house over fifty thousand statues, often heralded as an "epic of Eastern sculpture."

At the pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art, these works also serve as a historical record of the exchanges and mutual influences among civilizations along the Silk Road: Greek motifs, Persian adornments, and Indian Buddhist teachings all converge with Central Asian art, embodying a timeless dialogue carved into stone.

Although the show is free to attend, don’t forget to reserve your spot in advance and arrive about 15 minutes early.

Our Take

For a poetic moment, spend a week at the China Cultural Center, just a short walk from Les Invalides. The center marks the Chinese New Year’s first days with its very first sound and light show. Don’t expect something on the scale of Luminiscence; this is completely free and lasts only 12 minutes in the courtyard. The show is projected onto the building across the way, perfectly matching its architecture with vivid images.

Although brief, the experience immerses you in a traditional soundtrack that transports you to ancient China, where a horse guides us from scene to scene. You pick up a few historical details through a voice-over, but the visuals focus more on decorative elements and fine details. There are numerous sculptures of Buddha, surrounded by stunning lighting effects.

Given the rainy weather this week, remember to bring a coat with a hood or an umbrella. To get the best view, try to arrive early and sit as close as possible to the lawn, especially at the edges. At the back, you might be blocked by others’ umbrellas, and with the crowd likely, adding extra showings could be a smart choice to avoid the rush.

Arrive a few minutes early if you can—you’ll have time to explore the cultural center’s floors and its relaxation area, where you can enjoy a snack or a drink before the show. It’s a beautiful family-friendly event that even young children will enjoy, as they focus on the vivid images—best of all, it’s free!