The 2026 Zhongshan Lantern Festival Concert unfolded at the city's culture and art center on the evening of March 3.

Conducted by Wang Guanren, principal conductor of the China National Traditional Orchestra, the concert was performed by the Henan National Music Orchestra together with Li Yongjun, a winner of Chinese Golden Bell Award for Music and a tenor from the China National Opera & Dance Drama Theater, and Liu Xiaojing, associate professor of pipa instrument from the Central Conservatory of Music, to deliver a spectacular blend of classical and innovative Chinese music.

Li, fresh from his 2026 CCTV Spring Festival Gala appearance, returned to Zhongshan after a seven-year hiatus. His heartfelt renditions of "The Heavenly Road" and "The Sun Never Sets Over the Prairie" captivated the audience with his rich vocal timbre and genuine emotion.

Li praised Zhongshan's vibrant arts scene, noting that the city offers top-tier performance venues. He is impressed by Zhongshan people's sophisticated artistic taste and passionate engagement.