Folk Dance

Chinese folk dances originated as parts of rituals to hope for a good harvest or hunt. These dances have been passed down from generation to generation, and today they are used to preserve the culture of ethnic minorities in China and tell ancient stories.

Face Changing

Face changing, or bian lian, is an ancient Chinese art that is part of Sichuan Opera performances. In plays, face changing is used to reveal the inner thoughts and feelings of the characters. Bian lian performers now dance to dramatic music and change their face masks almost instantaneously with the flash of a fan or the turning of their head.

Spinning Plates

Plate spinning is one of the most famous traditional acrobatic shows in China. Even murals from the Han Dynasty include vivid images of performers spinning plates.

During the performance, the actors will hold long, thin poles in each hand and spin plates at the end.

Kung Fu Tea

Kung fu tea (also known as long mouth teapot art) is a traditional performance that combines serving tea with martial arts. This style of teapot originated in the Three Kingdoms Period of China as a way to protect leaders and later became the centerpiece of these elaborate tea ceremonies.

Jar Juggling

Jar juggling is an art that dates back thousands of years in China and is truly a feat of balance and weight bearing. The performer lies on their back and uses their feet to rotate and flip objects like jars and wooden boards.

Contortion

Contortion is a form of jiu-jitsu that is sometimes referred to “body art beyond the limits of the body,” as it requires the performer to be extremely flexible. Contortionists start training from a young age, and it can take ten years to become a skilled performer.

Martial Arts

Martial arts are a method of self-defense that you may already be familiar with. These performers take it a step further, however, training their minds just as much as their bodies and bringing art to this age-old tradition.

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