Folk culture on show at Shenyang’s Longtaitou Festival

A performance celebrates an emperor from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) on Feb 27. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

Heping district in Shenyang city held an event themed around the traditional Chinese Dragon Head-Raising Festival, in order to showcase the folk culture of the city on Feb 27, attracting large crowds of tourists.

The traditional Chinese Dragon Head Raising Festival, or Longtaitou Festival, falls on the second day of the second month in the Chinese lunar calendar every year, which refers to the start of spring and the farming season. This year, the festival falls on Feb 27.

The event treated tourists to various folk activities. The highlights of the event included a classic Beijing opera, a traditional Northeast China yangko dance, and over 100 artists creating paintings and calligraphy works with dragon elements.

A classic Beijing opera is staged in Heping district, Shenyang on Feb 27. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

Two performers dressed in traditional costumes perform a traditional Northeast China yangko dance on Feb 27. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

The event also gave tourists a chance to experience the traditional customs of the Dragon Head-Raising Festival, such as touching the head of a dragon sculpture and hanging Chinese knots on trees to pray for good luck.

It was the second time Heping district has held such an event, according to an official from the local government. The event has played an important role in promoting Shenyang’s traditional folk culture to local residents and tourists, he claimed.

A Shenyang resident takes a selfie in front a tree adorned with red ribbons carrying people’s wishes on Feb 27. [Photo/Chinanews.com]