"The tranquil Li River was transformed into a dazzling spectacle of light and tradition on New Year’s Eve, as the ancient riverside town of Yangshuo in southern China welcomed the new year with a large-scale cultural display. Footage shows a glowing 'Golden Dragon' formed by 77 illuminated bamboo rafts gliding across the dark waters of the river. Stretching nearly 1,000 metres, the serpentine procession was followed by a radiant 'Phoenix' raft formation, another mythical symbol in Chinese culture, traditionally associated with prosperity and renewal. “I feel amazing after it. It's super nice and super cool. This is a super big show. And I love it, and fireworks are really great,” said Irina, a tourist from Russia. The event concluded with colourful fireworks illuminating the night sky above the river. “The drumming performance is particularly festive,” said De Hua, another visitor from Nanchang. “This kind of activity is quite meaningful, it really allows us to experience the local culture, and I think it's worth watching.” In Chinese tradition, the golden dragon symbolises power, wisdom and good fortune, while the phoenix is associated with peace, harmony and prosperity. Organisers said the 'Dragon and Phoenix Bringing Auspiciousness' performance formed part of the 24th edition of the annual Li River Fishing Fire Festival, a long-running celebration showcasing the region’s river culture and folk traditions."