Lantern Festival: Celebration in the ancient town of Zhengding

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There's much more to the Chinese Lantern Festival than just lamps and torches. People across China celebrate this festival through various performances and events. Our reporter Ning Hong visited the ancient town of Zhengding in the north. Here's his report.

This is one way Chinese people celebrate their time-honored Lantern Festival. In the ancient town of Zhengding, folk artists have put on a show to demonstrate their best skills. The most popular performance is the war drum of Changshan. Zhang Shushe is the successor of this intangible cultural heritage that lasted for over five hundred years.

ZHANG SHUSHE, CHANGSHAN WAR DRUMMER ZHENGDING COUNTY, HEBEI PROVINCE "During the warring states times, the war drum was used to lift morale during battles. So you need to be aggressive in performing it."

Traditionally, celebrations are held here every year. Most performers are local residents. Folk art, acrobatics, dances, and Kung Fu. These various forms of shows light up visitors moods.

NING HONG ZHENGDING COUNTY, HEBEI PROVINCE "The town of Zhengding has attracted nearly two million people during the Spring Festival this year. It enjoys a rising reputation among tourists, and this is because of its efforts to preserve cultural relics and intangible cultural heritage."

"We heard there are some intangible cultural heritage performances here. I want our kids to see them."

Zhang Ganglu is the head of the cultural center. He organizes the show every year. He is happy to see these traditions gaining more attention.

ZHANG GANGLU, CULTURAL CENTER HEAD ZHENGDING COUNTY, HEBEI PROVINCE "Many of our intangible cultural heritage projects can now be found in schools. For example, students can learn war drum performance in gym class."

The ancient town of Zhengding has a history spanning over 1,600 years. Like many old towns in China, it is an ideal place to experience the joy of the holiday in a cheerful atmosphere. Ning Hong, CGTN, Zhengding.