At a public square in Chengdu, a bustling city of over 20 million people in southwestern China, 24-year-old Tibetan dancer Yanggyi, prepared for her performance, adjusting her traditional attire and the bun at the back of her head. 

 

Yanggyi (R, front) dances Guozhuang at a square in Chengdu.

 

As the tune of a Tibetan love song permeated the night air, she entered the dance floor, initiating a vibrant Guozhuang dance party.

 

Guozhuang, which means singing and dancing in a circle, is a traditional Tibetan dance. 

 

During leisure time, Tibetans of all ages often gather in circles, gracefully dancing to the rhythmic beats. 

 

Dancers (front), who come from a Guozhuang dance troupe in Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai Province, perform with local dancers at a square in Chengdu.

 

Since the 1980s, Chengdu has become a preferred destination for people relocating from within the province and neighboring regions, thanks to its favorable climate and vibrant economy. 

 

While embracing urban life, an increasing number of Tibetans also brought the Guozhuang dance as well as other cultural heritages to the city. As a result, the art form began to make its way into the lives of many urbanites.

 

In 2014, Yanggyi, at the age of 15, moved from Jinchuan County in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture to Chengdu. After completing her university studies, she became a kindergarten teacher in the city. 

 

Nine years of life in Chengdu has seen her transition from a teenager in the Tibetan community into a young adult pursuing a career in the city, with Guozhuang serving as the enduring link to her hometown.

 

A girl dances Guozhuang at a square in Chengdu.

 

In 2021, Yanggyi, along with like-minded people, formed a Guozhuang dance group. Starting with just seven members, the group gained popularity through word of mouth and the power of the internet, attracting a large number of dancing enthusiasts.

 

Today, Yanggyi's dance group has become one of the most popular Guozhuang dance troupes in Chengdu, boasting 420,000 followers on social media. People travel from Beijing and Shanghai, and even foreign countries to see their performances.

 

Photos by Shen Bohai

Source: Xinhua