Datiehua, or iron fireworks, is a special type of fireworks with a history dating back 2000 years. It is particularly popular in the folk traditions of Henan and Shanxi provinces in China.

At the start of a performance, craftsmen place iron blocks into the furnace. Using a large ladle, a performer hurls the molten iron skyward. The red-hot molten iron, which exceeds 1600 degrees Celsius, explodes into dazzling sparks, creating a spectacle of shimmering stars that sprinkle across the night sky.

To enhance the popularity of iron fireworks and boost local incomes, locals have transformed the traditional display into an astonishing show, directed and performed by local farmers. This show offers more than just fireworks; it integrates music, folk dance and the history of iron fireworks.

In April this year, 108 inheritors of the iron fireworks successfully set the Guinness World Record for the largest scale iron fireworks performance at the Town of Situ in Jincheng City, Shanxi Province, in northern China.

Photographer: Zhang Wanbao

Video editor: Liu Binling

Editor: Xu Jinhui