Dragon lantern parade lights up ancient Ningbo village

Two giant dragon-shaped lanterns meet on a bridge in Xi'ao village, Ningbo during a New Year celebration on Feb 27. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A traditional New Year dragon performance lit up Xi'ao village, an ancient village in Ninghai county, Ningbo, on Feb 27.

In Xi'ao village, the 18th day of the first lunar month, which falls on Feb 27 this year, is even more important than the Spring Festival and marks the start of the new year. On the day, people carry giant dragon-shaped lanterns through the village. It is a new year celebration with a 770-year history that locals hold in hope of an auspicious year.

At 8 pm, over 80 villagers paraded through the streets with two dragon lanterns – a 32-meter-long white dragon lantern and a 39-meter-long green dragon lantern.

"I'm deely impressed by the village's captivating traditional culture," said Arzikulov Eshkuvat, a visitor from Uzbekistan.

A fair featuring Song Dynasty (960-1279) culture was also held, during which visitors immersed themselves in activities such as intangible cultural heritage crafts, a Hanfu parade, and tea ceremonies.

"The event brought the millennium-old Song Dynasty fair to Xi’ao Village. It's like a journey through time, full of fun and exploration," said a hanfu enthusiast surnamed Zhang.

"I came with friends to experience the traditional fair and pray for good luck in the new year," said a visitor surnamed Li, "I wish everyone a peaceful and happy new year and success in their endeavors.”