LEGO Celebrates the Year of the Snake with Exquisite Trotting Lantern Set
LEGO's 2025 Lunar New Year collection features three sets commemorating the Year of the Snake. This review focuses on the most elaborate of the three: a meticulously detailed replica of a traditional trotting lantern (Set #80116).
The lantern's exterior is breathtakingly detailed. Intricate decorations adorn every surface, from hanging red lanterns to gold-accented borders and exquisitely rendered cloud and rock scenes on the lantern's walls.
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Construction is a layered process, adding details upon details, creating a satisfying build experience reminiscent of the now-retired LEGO Carousel. The meticulous attention to detail is truly remarkable.
Inspired by historical Han Dynasty lanterns, the set incorporates a rotating mechanism. A light brick illuminates a clear piece with a black-lined image, projecting it onto the lantern's side. Rotating a rod animates the projection. While the advertised wall projection feature is underwhelming, the in-lantern projection is a charming effect.
The lantern's upper section opens to reveal three miniature scenes: a dumpling stall, a decorations stall, and a shadow puppet theater. This clever design adds a delightful surprise element. The set includes five minifigures, a snake-costumed figure among them, and various accessories like dumplings, a red envelope, a shadow puppet, and chopsticks.
The set's value proposition hinges on the buyer's priorities. While the light-up rotating mechanism may not justify the price alone, the stunning aesthetics and intricately detailed miniature scenes within make it a captivating and luxurious Lunar New Year celebration. Despite its 9+ age rating, the complexity suggests a more mature building experience.
The LEGO Trotting Lantern (#80116), containing 1295 pieces, retails for $129.99 and is currently available at Amazon and the LEGO Store.
