Zhejiang Tonglu: Popular Dragon Dance Brings Vitality of the Year of Dragon

February 24 marks the traditional Chinese Lantern Festival. With the warm-up of drums and gongs and dance, the "Dragon Dance by the River in Spring Brings Blessing to Tonglu" - 2024 Lantern Festival Dragon Dance Performance officially kicked off in Tonglu, Hangzhou.

Event Scene

The Jinjia Bench Dragon from Fuchunjiang Town made its grand entrance, majestic and imposing. The about-200-meter-long dragon is assembled from 108 wooden benches, each adorned with a curved section representing the dragon's body, creating a visually appealing design.

Event Scene

Following closely behind was the dragon dance team from Jiuxian, an ancient city, once again drawing admiration from the audience. Two glittery cloth dragons, a six-meter-tall flag and six three-meter-tall banners present a magnificent scene.

The diverse dragon lanterns not only boast unique and beautiful designs but also embody rich cultural heritage. Zhangwu Lion-Mane Dragon of Jiangnan Town, stretching 65 meters in length and featuring over 200 performers, is recognized as a provincial intangible cultural heritage, with vibrant colors and a grand lineup. Xu Xuejin, inheritor of lion-mane dragon, emphasized the meticulous craftsmanship involved in its creation. "The four dragon claws are as lively as four little dragons. The dragon head and claws are decorated with colorful pompoms," he added. 

Parade Scene

After the performance in the Tonglu County Sports Center concluded, the dragon dance teams took to the streets for a parade.

Parade Scene

Along the parade, citizens with full of enthusiasm eagerly sought to catch a glimpse of the splendid performance. "We heard from friends and family that Tonglu would host dragon lantern performances and a parade featuring 13 dragons on the Lantern Festival. We came all the way from Hangzhou to feel the lively atmosphere of the Lantern Festival," said Ms. Shu, a tourist dressed in hanfu, shining brightly alongside the dragon dance team.

The person in charge expressed that this unique and awe-inspiring event has stirred a sense of pride among many residents of Tonglu, while allowing tourists to experience the distinctive festive vibe and cultural characteristics of "Charming Tonglu". (Text/Photo by Wang Shanting, Zhou Yuting)