A 500-meter-long "golden dragon" recently made a stunning appearance on the ancient moat of Suzhou, heralding the grand opening of an intangible cultural heritage gala.

As dusk fell and drumbeats reverberated across the water, 55 bamboo rafts were linked end to end to form a colossal "golden dragon" that glided gracefully from the ancient gate tower. The dragon's head was inspired by Gongcheng paper-cutting, while its sinuous body was crafted using time-honored bamboo-rafting techniques. Both are treasured items of intangible cultural heritage from Guangxi. A dazzling projection show cascaded across the city walls, its interplay with the gliding "golden dragon" creating a scene of ethereal beauty—a poetic spectacle unique to Jiangnan's waterways.

Accompanied by traditional Chinese music, the dragon procession continued its journey, with a celebrated singer and a troupe of cheongsam-clad KOLs aboard accompanying vessels. Crowds lining both banks were united in their admiration, describing the "golden dragon" procession as not only a spectacular visual display but also a breathtaking celebration of China's enduring cultural heritage.