At 15:00 on January 26 (the fifth day of the Chinese lunar new year), Yueshan Village, Wutong Lake Park, Liangzihu District, was bustling with the reechoing sound of gongs and drums. In the sound of firecrackers, the four dragon lanterns flew up and down at the same time, leaping and jubilant, presenting the scene of dragons going out to sea or the dragons riding auspicious clouds. The wonderful performance attracted many people to stop and watch, giving out continuous clapping and cheers.
The dragon lantern, called Ji Long in Chinese, constitutes a unique folklore activity of the city with a history of over 500 years. The head of the dragon lantern, generally 2 to 4.5 meters high, has a human face and is crowned with five backward tilted swords. The highest one in the middle has a triangular flag at its peak in the center. Written on the flag is a Chinese word, either "marshal" or "order". How powerful and spectacular. Photo by all-media reporter Hu Zhanjun and correspondent Yang Wenming