A cultural parade celebrating Lantern Festival is held in Jinyun county, Lishui. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Jinyun county in Lishui, Zhejiang province, celebrated Lantern Festival on March 3 with a cultural parade that integrated local intangible cultural heritage, unique folk customs, and the Year of the Horse.

The parade featured five groups, each highlighting different aspects of Jinyun's cultural tapestry. From ancient legends to operas and lantern displays, the event offered residents and tourists a cultural feast rich in historical depth.

The "Huangdi's Blessing" group opened with 16 flags heralding the arrival of the dragon boat, which combines dragon culture with the heritage of Huangdi, the Yellow Emperor, who is believed to be the legendary ancestor of the Chinese people and the founder of Chinese culture.

Actors in Wuju Opera costumes bring opera to the streets. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

For the "Wuyun Splendor" segment, streets came alive as a hundred actors in Wuju Opera costumes brought the art form directly to the streets, showcasing its centuries-old living heritage.

The finale featured a 500-meter-long dragon lantern carried by 530 residents, which symbolized the enduring vitality of cultural traditions and the commitment to cultural preservation across generations.

A long dragon lantern parade. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Lantern Festival parade is a key cultural event in Jinyun, showing the region's rich cultural heritage and its dynamic urban and rural landscapes through immersive performances.