Haitan Ancient Town, a large tourism complex in Pingtan, played host to a spellbinding cultural heritage performance of "Fire Dragon Steel Flowers" during the Chinese Lunar New Year festivities. As part of the Cross-Straits Folk Culture Tourism Festival, this event showcased the age-old artistry of dragon dance and molten iron manipulation, blending tradition and spectacle on the island.

Executed by a team of skilled performers hailing from Tongliang, western China’s Chongqing, recognized as the birthplace of the "First Dragon of China," the "Fire Dragon Steel Flowers" spectacle unfolded against the picturesque backdrop of the antique structure. The dragon's dance, choreographed amidst the intense heat of a "meteor shower" of molten iron at 1500°C, delivered a breathtaking display that left spectators marveling.

The tradition of "Fire Dragon Steel Flowers" has become a key feature of Haitan Ancient Town's annual Lunar New Year celebrations. Running from the first day to the fifteenth of the lunar new year, this year's performance drew locals and tourists alike, transforming the complex into a lively hub of cultural revelry.

Yao Jianlin, a 20-year-old master overseeing the creation of molten iron flowers, stressed the precision and skill demanded by the performance. Describing the intricate process, Yao explained that achieving the desired effect requires a delicate balance of stability, accuracy, and force. One person propels the molten iron into the sky while another skillfully strikes it with a tool, creating a stunning display of "iron flowers."

To ensure the safety and visual appeal of the performance, the team undergoes rigorous year-round training, initially using water to simulate the trajectory of molten iron. Yao Jianlin highlighted the importance of creating mist-like water splashes during training to replicate the conditions of the actual performance, ensuring that the molten iron's projection is steady and direct, minimizing the risk of harm to the audience.

The dragon dancers from Tongliang, celebrated for their "Fire Dragon Steel Flowers," are seasoned travelers. Year after year, they tour various regions, bringing their unique art form to nationwide audiences. This year's Lunar New Year performance on Pingtan Island marked a special celebration of the Year of the Dragon, enjoying widespread popularity.

Liu Chuan, the person in charge of the performing team, expressed pride in bringing the authentic Tongliang Dragon Dance to Pingtan. Tongliang's dragon dance, listed in the First Batch of China's Non-Material Cultural Heritage in 2006, has participated in numerous national celebrations, including the National Day Parade and international events like the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony and the Shanghai World Expo.

Returning to Pingtan for the Year of the Dragon, the performing team felt a sense of "coming home," having previously showcased their art in Haitan Ancient Town in 2018. Liu expressed excitement about contributing to Pingtan's cultural vibrancy, witnessing the growing popularity of the tourism complex.

The premiere day exceeded expectations, with approximately 120,000 people visiting Haitan Ancient Town. This influx of tourists injected vitality into the ancient town, setting a positive tone for Pingtan's cultural tourism in the new year.