Huangyao Dragon Lantern Festival

Guangxi
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In Huangyao Ancient Town, Zhaoping County, Hezhou, dragon dances on the water are held in Yaojiang River every year on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month during the Ghost Festival when the weather is good. This is probably a rare form of dragon dance in my country. The dragon made by the Huangyao people is different from the common dry dragons, because both people and dragons dance on the water, so people and dragons must float on the water. The dragon head is like a beautiful small flower house, with colorful flags tied on it, and couplets praying for a good harvest and peace and prosperity for the country and the people written on the dragon gate. The dragon body to the dragon tail is nearly 100 meters long. It is made by cutting off the sharper side of raw grapefruits, digging out the grapefruit core, and then stringing the grapefruits with hemp ropes, inserting lit incense and red candles on the grapefruits, and decorating the dragon head with colorful lights. After dark in the evening, the gongs and drums at the head of the village started beating, the firecrackers of celebration rang out, and the young man also danced the lion. Men, women, old and young in the town walked to the Yao River. More and more people gathered. After a prayer for the ancestors, the lion dance team and the gong and drum team boarded the bamboo raft, and the dragon dance began! A group of strong men with bare arms and colorful scarves on their heads danced the lion vigorously to the accompaniment of gongs, drums and firecrackers. The river dragon behind them was shining with colorful lanterns, the long dragon body was swaying with candlelight, and the incense was lingering, just like a dragon swimming on the water. The river bank was full of people, lifting the entire Yao River. Every time the dragon lantern swam to a pier and a city gate tower, there would be louder bursts of firecrackers. The celebrating people shot fireworks into the air and threw the lit firecrackers into the Yao River. The lanterns, candlelight, and fireworks were reflected on the surface of the Yao River. The scene was spectacular! The beautiful dragon lanterns on the Yao River, the rough and bold movements of the naked men, the pretty girls on the river bank, and the old people and children sitting on the stone arch bridge with their mouths wide open laughing - the entertainment methods of a nation and a place will be unforgettable for a lifetime.

Intangible culture related to the heritage

China tourist attractions related to the heritage