Locals celebrate Firecracker Dragon Festival in Binyang, S China's Guangxi

People perform firecracker dragon dance during Firecracker Dragon Festival in Binyang County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Feb. 20, 2024.

In Binyang, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the Firecracker Dragon Festival is a traditional carnival that celebrates the Chinese Lunar New Year. This festival, which has been observed for over ten centuries, features a unique firecracker dragon dance performed by local residents using a bamboo dragon.

Unlike most dragon dances performed elsewhere, the Firecracker Dragon Festival involves the audience throwing lit firecrackers at the bamboo dragon during the dance. This act is believed to drive away evil spirits and symbolizes wishes for peace and prosperity in the upcoming year. In recognition of its cultural significance, the event was included in the national intangible cultural heritage list in 2008.