In Chujia village of Yantai Huang-Bohai New Area, the 33rd Fishing Lantern Festival was recently celebrated with a rich variety of folk activities. This festival is symbol of the fishermen's gratitude towards the sea and their earnest hopes for a bountiful year.

As a national intangible cultural heritage, the local Fishing Lantern Festival has long maintained a strong traditional atmosphere and unique way of celebrating.

The boats dock at the fishing port in Chujia village, Yantai Huang-Bohai New Area. [Photo/WeChat account: ytkfqfb]

Accompanied by lively drumbeats, yangko dancers joyfully perform, eliciting applause and cheers from the surrounding villagers. Traditional art performances such as folk music, Peking Opera, and traditional Chinese dance performances are then held one after another.

Following the performances, a solemn ceremony to honor the sea is held. Fishermen devoutly pray for smooth winds and abundant fish and shrimp in the new year.

Actors present wonderful folk performances during the Fishing Lantern Festival. [Photo/WeChat account: ytkfqfb]

"The Fishing Lantern Festival is a major event for us fishermen. It originated in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) over 500 years ago," explained a local fisherman named Cong Zhiwei.

At the concurrent Ocean Fair, a variety of Chinese traditional handicrafts are on display, including paper-cutting, gourd pyrography, and sugar painting.

People experience calligraphy writing at the celebration venue. [Photo/WeChat account: ytkfqfb]

The long-standing Fishing Lantern Festival has become not only an important event for fishermen but also a cultural highlight in Yantai Huang-Bohai New Area, attracting visitors from all over the country who are eager to experience it for themselves.