Rucheng Burning Incense Dragon Dance was performed during the Foshan Autumn Festival in Xiqiao, Nanhai of Foshan City on October 18. As a representative project of Hunan’s intangible cultural heritage, it not only brought a visual feast to citizens, but also promoted the deep cultural integration between the two places.

At around 8:00 p.m., the loud sound of gongs and drums pierced the night sky, and representatives of citizens from both places held torches together, lighting the auspicious incense dragon.

In an instant, a giant dragon measuring 53.8 meters long, 3.5 meters wide, and 4 meters high, with over 60,000 specially-made incense sticks inserted into its body, leaped out and shone brightly.

With a loud command, more than 120 young and middle-aged team members wearing straw hats lifted the dragon, performing postures such as leaping and wandering.

Under the guidance of fish lanterns, the incense dragon chased a dragon ball and meandered forward. During the parade, it attracted citizens along the way to stop, take photos, and cheer.

Hu Jianqiang, a team member, said, “I am very happy and proud to give a performance outside the province for the first time.”

The performance of Rucheng Burning Incense Dragon Dance and Foshan Lion Dance together is not only a display of two unique forms of intangible cultural heritage, but also a powerful collision and inheritance of the cultures of the two places.

Foshan, as the birthplace of lion dance, is known for its agile and graceful techniques.

As the hometown of the Burning Incense Dragon Dance, Rucheng is famous for its quaint and majestic performance. The fusion of the two vividly interprets the profoundness and infinite vitality of China’s excellent traditional culture, contributing to cultural exchange and mutual learning between the two regions.

Chinese source: hunantoday