Editor's Note:
The 500-year-old tradition of Fanhui, or the meeting of ancient flags, is staged in Qianjuntai village and Zhuanghu village, Mentougou district, Beijing on the Lantern Festival, the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar, which fell on March 2 this year. As China's national intangible cultural heritage, the tradition dates back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
Performers have makeup applied ahead of the Fanhui. Photo: Li Hao/GT 
A woman shows her collection of Quotations from Chairman Mao Zedong ahead of the performance. Photo: Li Hao/GT 
A woman checks her makeup as a photographer captures the moment. Photo: Li Hao/GT 
Performers have makeup applied ahead of the Fanhui. Photo: Li Hao/GT 
A performer uses his mouth to balance a Fan. Photo: Li Hao/GT 
A performer balances a Fan, or the ancient flag, on his shoulder. A Fan can weigh more than 20 kilograms and carrying a Fan requires the performer’s excellent skills. Photo: Li Hao/GT 
A woman dons a red robe and dance in front of tourists. Photo: Li Hao/GT 
A woman in flora coat leads a “bridal chair,” when the “matchmaker”(right) guards the march. Photo: Li Hao/GT 
Three women dress up as Chinese fairies at the Fanhui. Photo: Li Hao/GT 
The two men in yellow and blue robe are supposed to be the guards of the marching Fanhui team. Photo: Li Hao/GT 
Pictured is a guard of the Fanhui marching team. Photo: Li Hao/GT 
A tourist carries her dog past the flags. Photo: Li Hao/GT 
Villagers and tourists take photos of the ongoing Fanhui. Photo: Li Hao/GT 
A girl watches the Fanhui with her mother in Beijing on March 2. Photo: Li Hao/GT
