The Loong Dance (Bandeng Loong in Datian), also known as "Welcoming the Loong", is a traditional folk performance from Datian county, Sanming city, Fujian province. Its origins date back to the first year of the Tianyou era in the Tang Dynasty (905 AD) and it is now recognized as an expanded project under the traditional dance category of the first batch of national-level intangible cultural heritage representative projects.

The Loong Dance consists of dragon pearls, dragon head, dragon body, and dragon tail, all made of bamboo, lantern panels, and dragon paper. They are individually crafted and then connected together through a complex production process and exquisite decorations. It integrates calligraphy, painting, paper cutting, carving, sculpture, and weaving techniques into one art form.

It is most spectacular in Yutian village, Junxi town, where the longest dragon spans over 1700 sections. Its parade tradition is rich and colorful, starting in the afternoon on the Lantern Festival and continuing late into the night.

Before leaving the ancestral hall, it is necessary to offer a "dragon head sacrifice" to honor the dragon head. After the parade, the dragon returns to the ancestral hall.

During the parade, gunshots are fired to clear the way, and respected individuals carry the "dragon pearl" to guide the dragon forward. The dragon weaves through villages or streets, with residents along the way setting off firecrackers and fireworks to welcome it. In open areas, the dragon performs the "dragon passing" and "dragon running" dances. The dance, moving in all directions, is the soul of the Loong Dance, with over a thousand sections of lanterns dancing up and down depending on the terrain.

Additionally, the Loong Dance carries profound symbolism. In Southern dialects, "lantern" sounds like "offspring", symbolizing the flourishing of descendants. The dragon is auspicious, representing good weather and abundant harvests. The lantern dragon parade expresses the folk society's desire for a bountiful year and happiness. During the dance, it encourages each dragon participant to showcase their individuality while emphasizing the unity and cooperation of the dragon team, embodying the spirit of neighborly harmony, cooperation, and coexistence.