Baiyelong dancers in a parade in Huhzou, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/hz66.com]

Changxing Baiyelong dance is a characteristic dragon dance popular in Lincheng town, Changxing county, Huzhou, East China's Zhejiang province.

Baiyelong, which literally means "a dragon made of a hundred lotus leaves", was inspired by a local legend about a dragon born in a lotus pond.

The dance, which is usually performed by a team of 17 people during temple fairs or festivals, is a customary practice that represents the wishes of local residents for a prosperous year, both for their families and their motherland.

In 1957, a Baiyelong dance program took home the gold award at the sixth World Youth College Students Festival held in Moscow in 1957.

In April 2004, Changxing set up a training base to revive the traditional art and established a government-backed troupe in June 2005.

A year later, Changxing Baiyelong dance was designated as a national intangible cultural heritage item.

The dance was also part of a grand performance in Hangzhou on the evening of Feb 21 to mark the beginning of the 200-day countdown to the 19th Asian Games.

Baiyelong dancers take part in a rehearsal in Huzhou, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/hz66.com]