The lion dance parade kicked off on Feb 5, in Tengxian county, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, in celebration of the Chinese New Year.

The lion dance is a traditional Asian folk performance art which also found in countries like Malaysia and Singapore. In 2011, Tengxian county lion dance was included in China's national intangible cultural heritage list. With a history spanning over 1,000 years, the Tengxian county lion dance is renowned for its high-difficulty moves such as high-pole lion dancing and the 450-degree single-pole waist-turn.

"Most lion dance team members are aged between 14 and 25. To prepare for this parade in Tengxian county, they have been training every day," said Chen Deyao, a lion dance performer, who has already performed over 20 shows during the Spring Festival holiday.

Growing up to the sound of lion dance drums, Chen was recruited to perform high-pole acts six years ago and has since won multiple dragon and lion dance competitions.

In recent years, Tengxian county lion dance has frequently visited ASEAN countries like Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, and Vietnam for cultural exchanges, winning numerous awards in professional lion dance competitions co-hosted by China and ASEAN countries.

Of note, the lion dance troupe plans to visit Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore for cultural exchanges in 2025, showcasing the charm of lion dance and attracting more international followers.

The Tengxian county lion dance parade. [Photo/China News Service]