Tongliang Dragon Dance

Tongliang County is located in the northwestern part of Chongqing, 110 kilometers from the city center. Dragon lanterns (also called dragon dance when performed) have been well known and, therefore, the county is known as "home of the art of dragon lanterns", and the dragon lanterns of this type is called "Tongliang Dragons".

Tongliang Dragon lanterns, colorful lanterns made in the shape of dragons, are a kind of folk art that combines dragon dance and lantern dance.

In this county, different towns have their own characteristic dragons and lanterns. Weilong Township, for instance, has the Lotus Flower Dragon and the Waist Drum Dragon Dance; Pingtan Township has its Skating Dragon dance, Hufeng Township is noted for its Straw Dragon dance and Yongjia Township for its Bamboo Clapper Dragon dance.

At the 35th. National Day celebrations in 1983, the performance of dragon dance of nine Tongliang dragons on Tiananmen Square in Beijing was a great success. At 50th. National Day celebrations in 1999, Tongliang Dragon dance in the capital becane well known both in China and in the world.

Some similar lantern dances have been invented in recent years, such as Pig Lantern dance and the Fish Lantern dance that usually follow the dancing dragons in mass celebrations. They symbolize bumper harvest and properity. The Chongqing Tongliang Dragon Lantern Dance Art Festival held in Chongqing from October 21 to October 25, 2000, attracted thousands of Chinese and foreign visitors. It is probable that Tongliang Dragon dance may go to the outside world.