As the vibrant sounds of drums and gongs filled the air, a colorful troupe of performers holding an ancient auspicious animal, wound its way through the villages of the New Territories of Hong Kong, fanning up the festive atmosphere during the Chinese New Year.

Draped in brightly colored costumes, the folk artists were performing the dance of Qilin, a benevolent ancient Chinese mythical creature that is revered in Chinese folklore for warding off evil and bringing serenity, good fortune and prosperity.

The dancers -- one holding the creature's head and the other controlling the tail -- moved gracefully, a living embodiment of cultural heritage that has been recognized at a national level.

The ongoing holiday of the Chinese New Year has coincided with the first celebration of the Spring Festival since it was recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage, a milestone marked with fervor.

Villagers, grinning from ear to ear, welcomed the Qilin dance performance teams as they toured their homes, a symbol of good fortune and joy according to local folklore.

Hong Kong's Qilin dance tradition encompasses various styles or local variations, each with distinct music and dance forms, with the Hakka unicorn dance in Hang Hau, Sai Kung officially recognized in 2014 as a national intangible cultural heritage.