Qingdao fishermen celebrate Dragon King's birthday

According to Jiaodong folk customs, the thirteenth day of the first lunar month marks the Dragon King's birthday, which falls on Feb 28 this year. Fishermen in Langya Town in the Qingdao West Coast New Area held a grand celebration to honor the Dragon King and pray for a good fishing harvest in the year.

Performers dressed in traditional clothing stage the ancient and sacred ritual in honor of the Dragon King on Feb 28 in Langya Town in the Qingdao West Coast New Area. In traditional Chinese culture, the Dragon King rules the seas and weather, which are vital to fishermen. As a result, the deity's birthday is an important festival for coastal residents. [Photo by Lu Bo/dailyqd.com]

More than 30,000 people take part in the annual sacrificial practice in honor of the Dragon King on Feb 28 in Langya Town in the Qingdao West Coast New Area. The ceremony has been practiced in the area for more than a thousand years and in recent years, it has attracted more and more visitors who want to experience this unique folk event. [Photo by Lu Bo/dailyqd.com]