1,700-Year-Old Battle Tradition Transforms Spring Festival Celebration
As the Lunar New Year reaches its peak celebrations this week, Zhengding County in Hebei Province has captivated visitors with its Changshan war drum performances – a thunderous cultural legacy dating back to the Three Kingdoms period. The rhythmic pounding of 300 drummers echoed through ancient city walls on February 21, 2026, blending historical resonance with contemporary festivity.
Designated as provincial-level intangible cultural heritage, these war drums originally served as psychological warfare instruments during military campaigns. Today, they symbolize unity and cultural continuity, with performers aged 16 to 72 showcasing synchronized routines passed down through 30 generations. Notably, the tradition has seen increasing female participation in recent years, with women now comprising 40% of performing troupes.
From Battlefield to Cultural Preservation
Local cultural preservationist Li Weiguo explains: "Each drum pattern tells a story – the 'charging formation' rhythm used in 208 AD still energizes crowds today. Our challenge is maintaining authenticity while making it relevant for new generations." The county has integrated the drums into school curricula and developed augmented reality experiences that overlay historical battle contexts during performances.
For overseas visitors and diaspora communities, the event serves as both spectacle and cultural bridge. Malaysian tourist Aminah Hassan remarked: "Seeing these drums I'd only read about in historical texts – it makes China's living heritage tangible." The celebrations continue through March 1, with nightly light installations complementing traditional performances.
