A dragon lantern activity in Pan'an county, Jinhua. [Photo/Tide News]
As Spring Festival draws near, Damin village in Pan'an county, Jinhua, Zhejiang province, is set to launch the Dragon Lantern Tradition Experience activity on Jan 18.
Visitors will have the opportunity to join in holding bench dragons, parading with drums and gongs through the streets, to feel the festive spirit in person.
The longstanding tradition of dragon lantern dance in Pan'an is among the most magnificent traditional folk cultural activities during the Chinese New Year. In Damin village, the practice of children holding dragon lanterns has been upheld for over a decade. All the households in the village make these dragon lanterns.
From Jan 18, the experience will be accessible to student groups, businesses, and various organizations. The dragon heads, dragon tails, lantern boards, and a drum team will be provided, with experienced villagers to lead, offering an authentic insight into the tradition.
In addition to the dragon lantern, visitors can also engage in activities such as making malt sugar and glutinous rice cakes and watching intangible cultural heritage performances.
Pan'an is home to 16 national and provincial-level intangible cultural heritage items like fire stomping and bamboo weaving techniques. Damin village, a "Chinese traditional ancient village" with a 1,170-year history, not only retains the look of a traditional village but also boasts rich historical and cultural relics.
