Guizhou province's second dragon dance competition was held in Anlong county, Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao autonomous prefecture, on July 23.

Dragon dancing is a form of traditional Chinese dance which is performed by a team of dancers who manipulate a long flexible figure of a dragon. 

Altogether 15 teams from across Guizhou province, Hunan province and Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region took part in the competition. 

Anlong county, located in Guizhou province, is rated one of China's top 50 most beautiful counties. An important tradition of Anlong, dragon dancing has a history dating back 140 years. 

The competition is expected to increase the popularity of the tradition among local residents, said the county Mayor Ran Longbin. 

The 15 teams of dragon dancers from across Guizhou province, Hunan province and Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region line before the start of the competition held in Anlong county on July 23. [Photo by Liu Chaofu/Xinhua]

Women dragon dancers wave poles to manipulate a long flexible figure of a dragon during the second dragon dance competition held in Anlong county on July 23. [Photo by Liu Chaofu/Xinhua]