The 2026 National Dragon Dance Carnival opened on Friday at Laolongtou — or Old Dragon's Head — at Shanhaiguan Pass in Qinhuangdao, North China's Hebei province, and will run through Sunday. The event celebrates the traditional Longtaitou Festival.

On the second day of the second lunar month, China marks Longtaitou Festival, or Dragon Head Raising Day — a celebration of spring's arrival.

Twenty-six dragon dance teams from 11 provincial-level regions are performing at Laolongtou — where China's Great Wall meets the sea. Visitors can enjoy dragon dance competitions, cultural heritage shows and a food festival featuring local delicacies.

Traditional activities such as the "dragon head touching" ritual for good luck and free haircuts are also drawing crowds, while a live-streaming shopping event is offering travel packages and cultural products.

Sun Ke and Yuezhi Juelin contributed to this story.