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On May 31, during the Dragon Boat Festival, the Golden Dragon Parade returned to the Yulong River in Yangshuo, Guilin, captivating thousands with a glowing, nearly one-kilometer-long dragon gliding across the water. LED-lit bamboo rafts shimmered beneath fireworks, drawing crowds and once again going viral on Chinese social media.
Tickets for the event sold out days in advance. Visitors, including locals and tourists, gathered early to witness a traditional dragon blessing ceremony. At 7:30 pm, the golden dragon floated from upstream of the Yulong Bridge to Panlong Island, circling back to meet a glowing phoenix in a finale symbolizing harmony and prosperity.
The Golden Dragon Parade takes place on the evening of May 31. [Photo/Guilin Evening Newspaper]
Originally conceived in 2014 by local villagers inspired by the region's dragon legends, the spectacle was handcrafted with bamboo rafts, yellow umbrellas, and a steel-framed dragon head over four meters tall. Years of community effort have evolved the event into a professional nighttime attraction featuring synchronized raft maneuvers, lighting effects, and storytelling.
Dragon Meets Phoenix scene on May 31. [Photo/Guilin Evening Newspaper]
In 2024, the parade was featured in China's national Spring Festival Gala and later included in the city's intangible cultural heritage list. Since commercializing in late 2024, the weekly performance has drawn growing interest, boosting local tourism, hospitality, and rural revitalization.
The dragon head stands 4.18 meters tall, with a more vivid and dynamic design. [Photo/Guilin Evening Newspaper]
With Dragon Meets Phoenix now a signature symbol of Chinese-style romance, Yangshuo's Golden Dragon continues to shine as a cultural and economic beacon.
