LEGO Trotting Lantern Rings in 2025 Lunar New Year

LEGO's 2025 Lunar New Year (Year of the Snake) Collection: A Detailed Look at the Trotting Lantern

LEGO continues its tradition of celebrating Lunar New Year with themed sets, and 2025's Year of the Snake is no exception. Three sets are being released, including a Lucky Cat and a Good Fortune set featuring classic Chinese imagery. However, the centerpiece is undoubtedly the intricately detailed Trotting Lantern (#80116), a replica of a traditional Han Dynasty lantern. This review focuses on this magnificent build.

The Lantern's Exquisite Detailing

The Trotting Lantern's exterior is a masterpiece of miniature design. Every element, from the hanging red lanterns to the gold-accented walls depicting sky and clouds within rock formations, is meticulously crafted. The construction itself is a layered process, adding details upon details, creating a sense of anticipation and rewarding the builder with an increasingly impressive structure. This layered building experience evokes the joy of past LEGO masterpieces like the retired Carousel.

A Mechanical Surprise (with Caveats)

Historically, trotting lanterns used oil lamps to project silhouettes. LEGO cleverly incorporates a similar effect using a light brick and a rotating image. While the rotating mechanism is ingenious, the advertised projection onto walls is unfortunately blurry and underwhelming. This feature, while a nice attempt at authenticity, doesn't quite live up to expectations.

Hidden Dioramas and Minifigures

The true magic lies within the lantern's upper section, which opens to reveal three charming dioramas: a dumpling stall, a decorations stall, and a shadow puppet theater. This hidden complexity adds a delightful surprise and showcases LEGO's skill in creating miniature scenes. The set includes five minifigures, one dressed in a snake costume, along with accessories like dumplings, a red envelope, a shadow puppet, and chopsticks.

Final Verdict: A Stunning Lunar New Year Celebration

The Trotting Lantern's value depends on your priorities. While the mechanical light and rotation might not justify the price alone, the sheer aesthetic beauty and the intricately detailed hidden scenes within make it a truly exceptional LEGO set. It's a captivating celebration of the Lunar New Year, exceeding expectations for its suggested age range of 9+.

The LEGO Trotting Lantern (#80116) retails for $129.99 and contains 1295 pieces. It is currently available at Amazon and the LEGO Store.