Zhong’ao Fire Dragon is a Chongqing municipal intangible cultural heritage, known as a unique treasure of China. This guide covers its history, making, performance and visiting tips for tourists.
1. History and Cultural Value of Zhong’ao Fire Dragon
Zhong’ao Fire Dragon, located in Zhong’ao Town, Dazu District, Chongqing, is a precious traditional folk activity in Southwest China. It was officially included in the third batch of Chongqing Municipal Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2011, and is honored as “A Unique Treasure of China” for its spectacular and breathtaking performances. It has been featured on CCTV programs such as “A Unique Treasure of China” and “Charming Chinese Cities”, and has been invited to perform in Beijing three times, becoming a well-known cultural card of Bayu folk Culture.
With a history dating back to the late Song Dynasty, Zhong’ao Fire Dragon originated from commemorating loyal official Zhao Angfa, and flourished in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. After the “Migration from Huguang to Sichuan” in the Qing Dynasty, it integrated immigrant cultural characteristics, evolving from a loyalty commemoration activity to a universal folk festival for local people to pray for good weather, good harvest and peace. It is closely connected with Dazu Rock Carvings, serving as a living inheritance of traditional Bayu Culture, carrying the beautiful wishes of local people for generations.
Different from ordinary dragon dances, the core feature of Zhong’ao Fire Dragon is the “fire dragon dance and burning”, a comprehensive folk activity integrating handicraft skills, folk performances and courage inheritance. During the Spring Festival every year, grand fire dragon performances are held in Zhong’ao Town, attracting thousands of tourists from all over the country to experience the unique folk atmosphere.
2. Exquisite Handicraft of Making Fire Dragon
The whole production process of Zhong’ao Fire Dragon is purely manual, with complicated and exquisite techniques, taking more than 20 days to complete a single fire dragon, which embodies the ingenuity of local veteran craftsmen. A standard fire dragon is more than 20 meters long, with an odd number of segments (usually 7, 9, 11 or 13 segments), consisting of a mighty dragon head, a long dragon body and a flexible dragon tail.
Craftsmen use tough bamboo strips as the skeleton, fix the joints with hemp ropes firmly, and then paste colored paper and silk carefully, painting bright dragon patterns and scales. Every detail of the dragon’s beard, horns and eyes is carved vividly. The interior of the fire dragon is hollow, equipped with special gunpowder tubes and oil paper twists, and the dragon mouth is designed with a fire-spraying device, which ensures the stunning visual effect of the performance while taking safety into account. Every fire dragon is a perfect combination of traditional handicraft and folk Culture.
3. Spectacular Performance Process and Viewing Highlights
The performance of Zhong’ao Fire Dragon is divided into two core parts: dragon dance for blessing and fire dragon burning ceremony, full of strong ritual sense. Before the performance, dragon dancers will take a traditional bath, then perform shirtless, unafraid of fireworks and sParks, which is not only a tradition inheritance, but also a symbol of courage and sincerity, reproducing the heroic spirit of ancient warriors.
The dragon dance parade starts with a gong and drum team, playing powerful rhythms. The fire dragon twists, rolls and soars under the control of dancers, accompanied by fireballs and fireworks lit by local people. The dragon dance team marches along the main streets, sending New Year blessings to every household, and every family sets off firecrackers to welcome the dragon, implying driving away bad luck and welcoming good fortune.
The fire dragon burning ceremony is the climax, usually held on the evening of the sixth day or Lantern Festival of the first lunar month. Fireballs lead the way, fireworks burst, and molten iron sParks fly all over the sky. Shirtless dancers shuttle through the fireworks, letting the sparks burn the dragon body, while the dragon mouth sprays fire at the same time. The whole scene is filled with smoke and loud noises, and the fire dragon dances until it burns to a skeleton. This thrilling spectacle is a unique folk wonder, carrying the wish of local people to bid farewell to disasters and pray for peace in the new year.
4. Practical Travel Tips for Visitors
For tourists planning to watch Zhong’ao Fire Dragon, it is recommended to visit during the Spring Festival (from the first day to the sixth day of the first lunar month), and the burning ceremony on the sixth night is the best time to watch. Zhong’ao Town is about 20 minutes’ drive from Dazu urban area, and there are regular shuttle buses available, with convenient transportation.
Choose an open area on the main street of Zhong’ao Town for viewing, which ensures a clear view and personal safety. Keep warm at night, and protect your clothes from fireworks debris. Respect local folk customs, do not break into the performance area, and watch civilizedly. During the event, you can also taste local specialties such as Dazu winter mustard and glutinous rice cakes, and experience the authentic New Year flavor of Bayu area.
5. Inheritance and Cultural Significance
Zhong’ao Fire Dragon is more than a performance; it is a carrier of Bayu folk culture, loyalty culture and immigrant culture. It witnesses the historical changes of Zhong’ao Town and maintains the cultural identity of local people. Nowadays, the local government vigorously supports the inheritance of this intangible cultural heritage, training young inheritors for dragon making and dancing, making this ancient folk custom go out of Dazu and go to the whole country. For tourists, watching Zhong’ao Fire Dragon is not only a visual feast, but also a unique journey to understand traditional Bayu culture and experience the charm of intangible cultural heritage.
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