Two craftsmen perform dashuhua in Weixian county, Hebei province, July 19, 2016. [Photo/VCG]

As hot melted iron flies through the air, a shower of brought sparks lights up the stage, thrilling the audience. The folk artists performing these stunts wear sheepskin coats and hats, and carry wooden ladles filled with the molten metal. The art form is called Dashuhua, literally translated as "tree flowers", or traditional iron spraying, and is a local art form in Weixian county, Hebei province.

Legend has it that in ancient times, blacksmiths used to throw hot melted iron against the cold walls during Lantern Festival. When the metal struck the walls, it exploded into a shower of sparks to scare demons away.

The tradition has been preserved for more than 500 years and has now become a popular performance for tourists. It was also listed as an intangible cultural heritage of Hebei province.