A colorful Qinglin bench dragon dance takes place with a flourish in Lishui. [Photo/WeChat ID: wxlishui]

The dragon dance is of course a cherished happening during Lantern Festival and so Lishui in East China's Zhejiang province hosts its own vibrant dragon dance events each year to fully celebrate the traditional time.

This year's Lantern Festival falls on Feb 12, the 15th day of the first month of Chinese New Year, which marks the first full moon of the year.

To bolster the cultural life of the locals and create a festive atmosphere of good cheer, Lishui will hold a dragon dance and lantern parade on the evening of Feb 11 in the main urban area.

The parade will feature a variety of traditional dragon dances, including the Qinglin bench dragon from Liandu district, the Yunhe cloth dragon, and the Qingtian fish-shaped lantern dance. These performances are designed to raise vibes to fresh highs and to light up the city in celebration of Lantern Festival.

Among them, the Qinglin bench dragon, originating from the Tang Dynasty (618-907), is known for its impressive length and skilled choreography. In 1950, it gained fame there for its 170-section length.

Meanwhile, the Yunhe cloth dragon boasts a rich cultural heritage, with elegant movements and diverse formations.

The Yunhe wooden palace lantern, a traditional craft from Yunhe county also dating back to the Tang Dynasty, is adorned with Yunhe wood carvings.