Hong Kong’s Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance Comes Alive, Sept 28-30

 

Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance will feature more than 300 performers parading a 67-metre-long dragon through the grid-like streets of the charming Tai Hang district. (Photo: Hong Kong Tourism Board) 

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 13 (Bernama) -- Hong Kong’s legendary Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance roars back to life this Mid-Autumn Festival which scheduled to take place three consecutive nights from Sept 28 to 30.

Reigniting the flames of this revered ritual for the first time since 2019, the flamboyant dance will feature more than 300 performers parading a majestic 67-metre-long dragon through the grid-like streets of the charming Tai Hang district.

This year’s event will feature a number of exciting new elements, including a special performance by next-generation dragon performers, a LED giant flower plaque with a dragon head, and an extended viewing zone to accommodate more spectators along Wun Sha Street and Tung Lo Wan Road.

According to a statement, the history and significance of the event can also be discovered during the daytime at the recently opened Tai Hang Fire Dragon Heritage Centre, which provides a fascinating insight into the 143-year-old tradition.

The dragon’s intricate construction requires over a month of dedicated hard work by a team of skilled and experienced craftspeople, who create the dragon by hand using pearl straw, rattan and hemp rope.

Originating over 140 years ago, the Fire Dragon Dance emerged as Tai Hang grappled with the hardships of plague within its farming and fishing communities.

In an inspirational dream, a village elder was instructed to create a dragon adorned with smouldering incense sticks and parade it through the streets to save the village.

Adding to the festivities is the recently opened Tai Hang Fire Dragon Heritage Centre, which holds exhibitions and features a restaurant offering dishes inspired by the delectable cuisine of the Hakka community, who were the original settlers of Tai Hang.

Furthermore, Hong Kong boasts an array of festive nighttime events that are not to be missed this Mid-Autumn Festival, welcoming visitors to come and immerse in the enchanting atmosphere of the festival.

-- BERNAMA