A Tale of Two Heritage Moments: Huizhou’s Eight-Legged Archway and Luminous Fish Lanterns

#discoverchina #anhui The rain had eased as we stood before Huizhou’s rare eight-legged archway,one of only a handful worldwide. Its rain-slicked pillars and intricate Confucian carvings radiated eight centuries of history. Later, fortune led us to a vibrant fish lantern performance—a living intangible heritage. Dancers twirled glowing silk carps through the mist until, to my delight, they invited me to participate. Hoisting the bamboo-frame lantern, I felt its weight and the silk’s whisper against my skin—a fleeting yet profound connection. From enduring stone to dancing light, Huizhou revealed its dual soul: eternal majesty and living tradition in perfect harmony.