The Lishui Dragon Lantern Celebration for Lantern Festival took place on the evening of March 2. The event featured an innovative water-and-land parade centered on intangible cultural heritage.

　　For the first time ever, a water parade was held on Nanming Lake, where a dragon lantern from Yunhe county glided along the lakeside, creating a spectacular scene of dragon lanterns both in the water and on land.

　　The lantern parade then kicked off with a ceremonial performance. The procession consisted of 10 formations, each representing a different county's intangible cultural heritage, with all floats beautifully illuminated for the evening spectacle.

The banlong from Liandu district in Lishui, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Lishui News Media Center]

　　Highlights included a 328-meter-longbanlong— a huge dragon-shaped lantern — from Liandu district. Performed by over 230 dancers, it incorporates seven traditional crafts with a history of more than 1,200 years.

　　Songyang showcased cloth dragon lanterns inspired by local irrigation legends, while Qingyuan presented a mushroom-themed dragon lantern depicting the region's signature produce.

The banlong from Qingtian county in Lishui, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Lishui News Media Center]

　　Abanlongfrom Qingtian county embodied the deep nostalgia of overseas Chinese from this renowned hometown of emigrants. Jingning's formation showcased the charm of She ethnic culture.

　　The finale featured a 450-meter-long dragon lantern from the Lishui Economic Development Zone, performed by 350 people and drawing enthusiastic applause from the crowds lining the streets.