Pic story: inheritor of Maolong craft in China's Guizhou

Dai Xin practices dragon dance at his residence in Shiqian County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 27, 2026. The "Maolong (hairy dragon) Festival" of Gelao ethnic group is a national-level intangible cultural heritage. Maolong laterns, the theme artifacts of the Maolong Festival, is a school of dragon lanterns unique to Shiqian.

A Malong lantern contains a bamboo strip framework, wrapped in skillfully cut colorful paper strips that give it a "hairy" appearance.

Dai Xin is the national-level inheritor of this craft. His father Dai Shangfu is also a renowned craftsman specialized in Maolong making and Maolong dance.

The Dai family, in which the Maolong craft has been passed down for six generations, is among the many guardians of legacies of the Gelao ethnic group. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

Dai Xin makes components of Maolong (hairy dragon) latern at his residence in Shiqian County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

Dai Xin (R) and his father Dai Shangfu make Maolong (hairy dragon) latern at his residence in Shiqian County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

Dai Xin makes Maolong (hairy dragon) latern at his residence in Shiqian County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

Dai Xin checks a finished Maolong (hairy dragon) latern at his residence in Shiqian County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

Dai Xin (L) and his father Dai Shangfu make Maolong (hairy dragon) latern at his residence in Shiqian County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)