On the evening of March 2, the city of Lishui was bathed in brilliant lights and bustling with crowds. Amidst the thunderous sound of drums and gongs, the Bingwu Year (2026) “Lishui Auspicious Dragon Lantern Festival” officially commenced. Centered around the theme of a “millennia-spanning intangible cultural heritage dragon-seeking journey,” the event highlighted the “one county, one intangible cultural heritage” concept. Ten dragon dance teams from Lishui’s nine counties, county-level cities, districts, and the Economic Development Zone, comprising over a thousand participants, carried various illuminated dragon lanterns, forming a thousand-meter-long formation. All the dragon lanterns featured luminous designs, creating a dazzling spectacle as the winding dragon appeared to cascade through the city like a river of stars. Streets and alleyways were packed with eager spectators, their cheers echoing without end. Distinct from previous years, this year’s Lantern Festival celebration introduced a special water parade section on Nanming Lake. The “Water Dragon” from Yunhe county danced atop the waves, winding its way along the lakeside section near Yintai City. This painted a magnificent picture of “dragons soaring in water and prancing on shore,” showcasing the unique charm of this renowned landscape and cultural city to its fullest.
