China’s extreme fireworks: sheer spectacle in Nuanquan. Following an old tradition, these highly unusual fireworks are made by a specially trained blacksmith throwing molten iron at an old stone wall, creating one of the most death defying performance arts in the world. Located in Hebei province, five hours’ drive from Beijing, these fireworks at Nuanquan are one of a kind. According to the ABC:
They call it “DaShuHua” or, literally, “Beating down the tree flowers.”
Nuanquan villagers claim it has been performed for over 500 years by local blacksmiths. It was traditionally only performed once a year on Lantern Festival, which is the 15th day of the New Year and the unofficial climax of the annual two-week-long festivities. Nowadays, there are a few more opportunities to witness it.
ABC News visited Nuanquan a week before the Lunar New Year and met Sui Jianguo, a 14th generation blacksmith. Sui has been performing “DaShuHua” for more than 25 years and shows off his skills on a new nightly cultural show hoping to draw more tourists to the neglected region.
Sui explained to ABC News correspondent Bob Woodruff that DaShuHua started out being the “poor man’s fireworks.” In the past, only the wealthy residents of Nuanquan could afford firecrackers to ring in the New Year.