Thousands of people from across Hainan Island last Friday celebrated the 15th China (Sanya) Dragon Head-raising Festival, which was held at Dongtian Park, Sanya’s 5A scenic spot. The event was held on March 8th, 2019.

At Dongtian Park in Sanya, this day features a series of folk and entertainment events, including a Welcome Ceremony, an Opening Ceremony, a Photo Exhibition, a Dongtian Gourmet Carnival, and the South China Sea Blessing Ceremony.

Dragon Head-raising Day

According to folk legend, the second day of the second lunar month of the Chinese lunar calendar is the day that the dragon king “raises his head” (or awakens) to the sound of rumbling thunder, a sign of the coming rains that will revitalize the earth. Around that time, the earth is bursting with life, grass and trees are beginning to sprout, and farmers are getting ready to till the fields.

Dragon Heads-raising Festival at Dongtian Park

The Dragon Heads-raising Festival is an important cerebration held annually at Dongtian Park. This event has been held at the park for 15 consecutive years. The festival is an excellent emblem for the local culture, and helps to familiarize locals and tourists with Sanya’s traditions. It has gradually become the main way for local people to keep their cultural memories alive and allow more visitors to experience the unique glamour of the region’s traditional culture.

About Dongtian Park

Dongtian Park is one of the first national 5A tourist attractions. Originally established during the Southern Song dynasty (1187 AD), Dongtian Park is the most southern centre for Taoist culture in China.

The site incorporates fifty different scenic spots with beautiful beach front and mountain scenery as well as cultural and educational activities.

Sanya Dongtian Park 三亚大小洞天旅游区

Tel: +86-898-8883 0188

Website: http://www.sanyapark.com/

Address: Yazhou Bay, 40 km southwest from Sanya City, Hainan Province, China/ 中国海南省三亚市区以西40公里的南山西南隅崖州湾

Transport: Bus Route 25 or taxi