Thousands of festival goers packed a historic neighbourhood of Hong Kong Wednesday night to watch a “fire dragon” lit with incense sticks carried through the streets, recreating a century-old ritual.
The annual “fire dragon dance” sees tourists and locals cram into Tai Hang’s network of narrow streets, eager to celebrate a tradition which has become a highlight of Hong Kong’s mid-autumn festival.
The 67-metre (220-foot) long dragon is made of straw and metal and stuck with thousands of incense sticks which are then lit.
Performers carry the dragon through Tai Hang for three consecutive evenings as it billows smoke, shaking and dipping its head and tail so it appears to be dancing to the beat of the accompanying drums.
The festival is a time for family celebrations and evening barbecues, with grills set up on pavements and along the river as people tuck into meals and gaze at the moon.
