On the evening of March 2, Lishui City was aglow with lights and bustling with crowds. Accompanied by the thunderous sound of drums, the 2026 “Lishui Auspicious Dragon Lantern Festival” officially began. Centered around the theme of “A Journey Through Time to Seek the Dragon in Intangible Cultural Heritage,” this grand event highlights the “One County, One Intangible Heritage” theme. Ten dragon dance teams from Lishui’s nine counties (cities, districts) and the development zone, with over a thousand participants holding various dragon lanterns, formed a kilometer-long procession. All the lanterns featured luminous designs, creating a dazzling display as the dragons undulated like a starry river entering the city, filling the streets with eager citizens cheering enthusiastically. In a departure from previous years, this year’s Lantern Festival included a special water parade on Nanming Lake. The water dragon from Yunhe rode the waves, meandering along the lakeside section of Yintai City, painting a magnificent scene of “dragons swimming in water and soaring on land” that showcased the unique charm of this cultural city.

Water Dragon Parade on Nanming Lake — Photo by Jia Heng, Lishui News Media Center

Xixi Dragon from Liandu — Photo by Cheng Ziqi, Lishui News Media Center

Suichang Fire Car Dragon — Photo by Lei Ning, Lishui News Media Center

Dayuan Auspicious Dragon from the Development Zone — Photo by Wu Houfei, Lishui News Media Center

Jinyun “Dragon Rising, Lion Leaping in a Prosperous Era” — Photo by Wu Houfei, Lishui News Media Center

Songyang Cloth Dragon — Photo by Lei Ning, Lishui News Media Center

Qingtian Stone Fan Dragon — Photo by Cheng Ziqi, Lishui News Media Center

Jingning Firelight Illuminates She Ethnic Region — Photo by Wu Haiping, Tide News