Zhenyuan county prepares for 400-year-old Dragon Lantern Fair

With Spring Festival approaching, artisans are busy making traditional dragon lanterns out of bamboo in Zhenyuan county of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture in Guizhou province.

The Zhenyuan Dragon Lantern Fair is over 400 years old and was added to the provincial intangible cultural heritage list in 2007. A traditional dragon lantern production involves a dozen steps, including cutting bamboo, making a frame, gluing cloth and painting.

According to Zhang Ning, director of the county's intangible cultural heritage protection center, 12 communities will participate in this year's dragon lantern exhibition and performance activity, which will be held from Feb 12 to 24.