Longtaitou Festival celebrated on Mount Tai

A dragon dance performance is held at the foot of Mount Tai on March 11. [Photo by Liu Chuan/chinadaily.com.cn]

A folk festival featuring traditional Chinese dragon dance performances was held on Mount Tai in Tai'an, Shandong province on March 11 in celebration of the Longtaitou Festival. 

The dragon dances were performed at six different sites on Mount Tai, including on Jade Emperor Summit, the mountain's highest peak. 

The Longtaitou Festival, or Eryueer Festival, which means "dragon raises head" in Chinese, is a traditional Chinese festival held on the second day of the second month in the Chinese lunar calendar. The festival falls on March 11 this year.

In ancient times, people believed that after the second day of the second month on the Chinese lunar calendar, the rain would increase due to the rain-bringing Dragon King has awakening from his winter slumber.

Tourists from across China climb Mount Tai on March 11 in celebration of Longtaitou Festival. [Photo by Chen Yang/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A dragon dance performance is held at the foot of Mount Tai on March 11. [Photo by Zhao Wenwen/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A dragon dance performance is held on Mount Tai in celebration of Longtaitou Festival. [Photo by Chen Yang/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Tourists from across the country climb Mount Tai on March 11 in celebration of Longtaitou Festival. [Photo by Chen Yang/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A dragon dance is performed on Mount Tai. [Photo by Chen Yang/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Dragon dancers pose for a photo on the top site of Mount Tai. [Photo by Liu Chuan/chinadaily.com.cn]