Performers parade through Xianxiang township in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, on Wednesday to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A traditional art parade was held in Xianxiang township in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, on Wednesday to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival, which falls on Sunday.

The parade featured the performance of pao ma deng — the horse-lantern dance — a traditional show that has been presented in eastern Zhejiang for hundreds of years.

Dancers ride on horse-shaped lanterns made of colorful paper and dance toma deng diao, a folk tune that originated in Ningbo.

The performance is listed as an intangible cultural heritage.

Yu Yin in Ningbo contributed to this story.

An art parade includes the performance of the horse lantern dance in Xianxiang township of Ningbo, Zhejiang province on Wednesday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Dancers perform along the street in Xianxiang township on horse-shaped lanterns. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Foreigners learn to play the erhu, a traditional musical instrument, during a Lantern Festival celebration in Xianxiang township of Ningbo, Zhejiang province, on Wednesday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]