The "party" climaxes with the rising flames of the burning Wata bonfire

Sounds of crackling flames and music pierced into the silence of the night. In Canghai Village of Pingtan, a burning tower set the annual Wata Burning Ceremony into motion.

Wata Burning Ceremony is a tradition in Canghai Village, usually observed during the Mid-Autumn and Lantern Festival. The ceremony involves building a tall tower out of bricks and clay and lighting it using wood and other combustible materials. The flames create a stunning spectacle, symbolizing the unity and harmony of the local community.

Villagers dressed in traditional wedding costumes reenact a folk wedding

Ciming Opera

The evening programs were extensive and guests were entertained with a cornucopia of activities- from Ciming Opera and folk dances to other rare exhibits of cultural performances set against a dramatic atmosphere amplified by villagers dressed in traditional folk costumes silhouetted against the flickering flames.

The tradition also heralded its prime this year as it earned its position on the list of intangible cultural heritage among 17 others. The commendable feat infused a sense of pride and inspiration for the local community and those in heritage conservation.

Villagers and tourists dance around the blazing bonfire

According to Chai Xiaoqing, the event planner, usually, such cultural rituals are such cultural rituals are usually practiced with discretion by the community, hidden away in the rural countryside, and far from the limelight. This is the first time a traditional ceremony as such has gone into a grander scale. In recent years, Pingtan has been working to promote the island's intangible cultural heritage. Leveraging the symbiotic relationship between heritage and tourism, it envisions propelling rural revitalization in the countryside and revitalizing the island economy.

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