The dragons are usually made by bamboo strips, cloth, and paper. [Photo provided to Taiyuan Evening News]

Dongpu village in Xiaodian district, Taiyuan, capital of North China's Shanxi province, is known for its dragon dancing tradition. In 2013, the Dongpu dragon dance was included in the list of representative provincial intangible cultural heritage items.

Today, Dongpu has four dragon dance teams, with more than 50 people participating in training year-round. During festivals, more than 200 villagers participate in this activity, ranging in age from 15 to over 60. They perform three to 40 times a year, making Dongpu a traditional cultural village.

For more than 100 years, the Dongpu dragon dance has maintained a consistent performance format in which, under the guidance of the dragon pearl, the dragon dancers hold dragon tools and, accompanied by gongs and drums, dance, swim, wear, fly, soar, roll, and play, among other movements. A single dragon performance includes a total of 20 people, of whom 12 perform the dragon dance and eight play supporting roles.

A complete dragon consists of three parts: the dragon head, dragon body, and dragon tail. The materials used for making them are diverse, ranging from bamboo strips and cloth to paper and plastic.

The dragon head, as the spirit of the entire dragon, is often carved vividly, with bright eyes and a dragon pearl in its mouth. The dragon body is composed of multiple sections, each of which has candles or light bulbs inside. When dancing at night, it resembles a bright fire dragon cutting through the night sky. The dragon tail is flexible and changeable, swaying and circling under the guidance of the dragon head, showcasing the dragon's agility and majesty.