The flames have traveled through 400 years. I celebrate the New Year in the Yao Village in Guangxi

For the first stop of my New Year trip, I chose the treasure town of Fuchuan in Guangxi. On the night of the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month, I watched the Guangxi intangible cultural heritage - dragon blasting - here with my own eyes. Shocked by the sound of firecrackers all over the city, this guide, which I got at the cost of my hair and clothes being burned by sparks, is here~ Every year from the 10th to the 15th day of the first lunar month (see official notice for details), the Fuchuan Yao Autonomous County of Hezhou, Guangxi, will hold the Lantern and Dragon Festival. The Yao people celebrate the festival by appreciating lanterns and blasting dragons, and pray for good luck, peace and prosperity in the new year. The dragon team from each street has to pay homage to each shrine and perform the ritual of "three bows and three circles" known as "Cai Qing". After visiting all nine shrines, they gather in the center of the county town. The crowd, who had been waiting for the "dragon explosion" for a long time, lit the firecrackers in their hands and threw them at the dragon. The firecrackers exploded all over the dragon and the dragon danced in the firecrackers. Fire is everywhere, this is Fuchuan’s most distinctive way to celebrate the New Year! There is a local saying that the more dragon dancers there are, the more powerful the street is. As for the dragon itself, the more it is blown up and the more rotten its body is, the more blessings the dragon receives from people, and the people living in this street will have a more prosperous life in the coming year. 🐲Dragon Tour Route: Gu Ming City Gate-Zhenwu Tower-Fuchuan Confucian Temple-Dongmen Bridge-Xinyong Street-Minzu Road-Fenghuang Road-Return 🏠Accommodation Recommendation: 1. Fuchuan International Hotel: Good location, you can see the dragon explosion scene when you open the window, but you must book at least one month in advance! 2. Ancient City B&B: Experience the local customs at affordable prices. I recommend "Longteng Inn". The owner is super enthusiastic! 🍜Food check-in: 1. Triangle dumplings: 3 for 1 yuan, unique flavor, suitable for all ages, can be found everywhere in the ancient city! 2. Fuchuan Glutinous Rice Balls: I have never seen glutinous rice balls that big. The glutinous rice balls here have many fillings, and you can choose sweet or savory flavors, all delicious! 💥 Dragon Blasting Guide: 1. Best viewing spots: Zhenwu Tower, Fengyu Bridge, ancient city wall, intersection of Minzu Road and Fenghuang Road, remember to reserve a spot in advance! 2. Necessary equipment: hat, scarf, mask (to protect against firecracker ash), raincoat (to protect against firecrackers), comfortable shoes (to walk farther and stand for a longer time) 3. Safety tips: The dragon explosion site is crowded with people, so be sure to pay attention to safety, keep an eye on your belongings, and don't get too close! 💡Tips: 1. Accommodation is tight during the Dragon Festival, so make sure to book in advance! 2. The local weather is changeable, so remember to bring rain gear and warm clothes. 3. There will be a large flow of people at the dragon-blasting site, so it is recommended to travel during off-peak hours. 4. Traffic control will be implemented at the event site. It is recommended to travel by electric vehicle or bicycle, otherwise you will need to walk a long way. Fuchuan fried dragon is worthy of being the intangible cultural heritage of Guangxi, it is really wonderful! I'll come again next year~