Intangible Heritage “Iron Flower” Stuns the Night Sky

During the 2026 National Day holiday, Zibo, Shandong delivered a spectacular line-up of performances. Qicai City Scenic Area wowed visitors with its intangible cultural heritage fire show, iron flower display, and water jet flyboard stunts, presenting a true visual feast for tourists.

Iron flower (Da Tie Hua) is a national-level intangible cultural heritage item. It originated in the Northern Song Dynasty, flourished during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and boasts a history of over a thousand years. Initially a ritual performed by iron-smelting craftsmen, it gradually evolved into a folk festival performance for celebrations such as Spring Festival and the Lantern Festival. The craft carries the meaning "the more you strike the flowers, the more prosperity you gain," embodying folk customs of blessing, good fortune, and warding off evil.