The Nine-turn Yellow River Formation lantern fair is a traditional folklore activity in the Lantern Festival originating in Dongtian'gezhuang Village, Taishitun Town. This lantern fair is commonly known as the Nine-turn Yellow River Formation denghui or dengchangzi (both literally meaning "fair"). In the 4th year of the reign of Emperor Hongwu of the Ming Dynasty (1371), immigrants from the Shanxi region brought the custom of lantern fairs into Dongtian'gezhuang Village, which has lasted more than 600 years till now.
The Nine-turn Yellow River Formation is placed according to the arrangement of the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams recorded in Yi Jing (usually translated as Book of Changes or Classic of Changes), and Jiuqu (literally "nine turns"), the traditional pattern of a closed, complicated, and continuous line which means constant wealth. The formation is made up of Nine Palaces, Qian, Kan, Gen, Zhen, Xun, Li, Kun, Dui, and the center palace, symbolizing the Nine Regions of ancient China. Once people enter the formation, go through it, and then get back out from the entrance, they will lead a proper and peaceful life in the coming year.
The distinctive feature of the lantern fair is its combination of the formation, entertainment parades, and operas. The three parts grace each other and make a unique lantern fair. The Deyuanshan Parade in the village, which is associated with the lantern fair, is known to all locally. As another important part of the lantern fair, the amateur Hebei bangzi (a genre of Chinese opera) troupe, founded during the reign of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty, has held enduring appeal for more than 100 years. At night, all the lanterns in the formation are lit, making a sea of red. After a burst of firecrackers, all the lanterns in the formation are lit at the same time. Led by five flags, more than a dozen of parades set off. The parades of lion dance, drums, stilts, shibuxian (a set of Chinese traditional instruments), folk music, percussion, and others get in the formation in order. Performing while walking, they get out of the 1,500-meter-long formation path in about two hours. Inside the formation, streaming flags and clamoring drums make a hullabaloo, while outside the formation, the crowd mill around, with cheers and laughter going up. After the parades, the opera show starts and lasts till midnight. Local people enjoy an atmosphere of joy throughout the day.
As a major event in Dongtian'gezhuang Village, the Nine-turn Yellow River Formation lantern fair is unique and worth appreciation as it integrates folk handcraft and parade art. An important cultural activity for local villagers, the Lantern Festival's lantern fair, pools the wisdom of and brings pleasure to the people while passing down traditional Chinese culture, and is of historical importance. Besides, as the carrier of over a dozen entertainment parades and Hebei Bangzi performances, the fair has played a role in promoting the development of other art forms and has enlivened the local culture.
In June, 2008, it was listed in the second batch of national intangible cultural heritage programs by the State Council of the PRC.
(Source: Miyun District Bureau of Culture and Tourism)