Lion Dance, a traditional folk dance, features distinct styles in northern and southern China. Among them is the green lion dance (青狮) in the Chaoshan region, the second-largest metropolitan area in Guangdong. 

Jieyang, one of the three main cities of the Chaoshan region, is home to the green lion dance. With more than 300 years of history, it was included in the third batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage list. Recently, a group of young people from Hong Kong and Macao visited Jieyang Old Town, lifting the lion head and experiencing the tradition firsthand.

The green lion is distinguished by its prominent forehead, wide mouth, and striking white eyebrows. This unique lion is believed to be the mount of Manjushri Bodhisattva. "Our green lion dance welcomes good fortune and wards off evil," shared Sun Shuqiang, the representative inheritor of the dance and head of the Sun Shuqiang Martial Arts Lion Dance Hall.

With nearly 600 members, his troupe is the largest professional lion dance troupe in eastern Guangdong. The team has performed not only in the Chaoshan area, but also in cities overseas. International visitors, including tours from Russia, have come to Jieyang to learn the dance. Sun Shuqiang believes that intangible cultural heritage must first be seen and become a symbol of cultural exchange that transcends borders before it can regain its vitality.

"The lion dancers are really impressive!" Chen Yingying and Lin Guoyou, two Macao visitors applauded this folk dance. Both of them considered that it would be meaningful if the troupe could perform in Macao as well, "it would help connect intangible cultural heritage with the younger generation."

Reporter | Zhou Jiyin, Ding Hefei, Wang Yaxin

Video | Luo Yuan, Zhang Qida

Editor | Yin Juewen

Proofreader | Chen Xuede