Ancient iron art illuminates Zhangye's rainbow mountains

The Datiehua performance is staged at the Zhangye Colorful Danxia scenic spot. [Photo provided to gogansu.com]

As night falls over the Zhangye Colorful Danxia scenic spot, an ancient folk performance known as Datiehua ignites the darkness, offering audiences a captivating glimpse into the timeless romance of an intangible cultural heritage that has endured for a millennium.

Datiehua is a folk performance art discovered by ancient Chinese craftsmen during the process of casting vessels. Originating in the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) and flourishing during the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911), this tradition boasts over a thousand years of history. The art form has evolved to incorporate elements of folk opera, dance, and music, enriching its cultural significance and highlighting distinct local characteristics.

With fire as its medium and a special ladle as its vessel, the performance unfolds through a series of graceful movements - a shake, a strike, and a splash. The result is a dazzling display reminiscent of twinkling stars and radiant fire trees. This thousand-year-old folk custom adds an extra layer of enchantment to the already stunning, multi-colored, and intricately layered landscape of the Colorful Danxia scenic spot.