Guizhou’s Gunshanzhu Dance Celebrated as Intangible Cultural Heritage

The Gunshanzhu, a traditional Miao dance from Zhuchang Township in Nayong County, Bijie City, Guizhou Province, China, reenacts the historic migration of the Miao people. Dancers roll and leap while playing six‑pipe lusheng instruments, symbolising the youths who cleared thorny paths for their community. The performance combines acrobatic moves such as the Flying Swallows, Human Pyramid and Rolling Dragon, all executed without stopping the music.

Recognised for its artistic and cultural value, Gunshanzhu was added to China’s first batch of national intangible cultural heritage in 2006. Its preservation is largely credited to Wang Jingcai, a nationally‑designated inheritor who integrated acrobatic elements and promoted the dance beyond its remote origins. Local schools now teach the dance, ensuring the tradition continues for younger generations.