Lantern Festival Celebrations: Molten iron throwing tradition in Yu County

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Lantern Festival celebrations are still going strong across China and in Yu County of Hebei Province, a unique tradition using molten iron attracts tens of thousands of tourists every year. Ning Hong has the story.

It is a dance of fire and ice. When melted iron meets an icy wall made of brick bursting out into a tree of fire.

NING HONG YU COUNTY, HEBEI PROVINCE "1,600 degree Celsius of melted iron. Standing in the middle of this tree of fire, you will need not only the skill but also be very brave, because it is really dangerous."

Performers use foundry to melt iron and then spill it on the cold brick wall. And to fend off sparks, a sheepskin jacket and straw hat. It's no easy feat and few are up to the task.

WANG DE, FOLK ARTIST YU COUNTY, HEBEI PROVINCE "I've been doing this for over 30 years, you've got to be careful, be strong, and it is really a game for the brave."

It is a tradition that has been going strong for over 300 years in Yu County, a famous ancient town in Northern China that dates back to the tenth century.

The tradition was started by a local blacksmith and these days, it's seen as the climax for Lantern Festival celebrations. Ning Hong, CGTN, Hebei Province.