Pingshan kylin dance is staged at the opening of the 9th International Festival of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Chengdu, Sichuan Province on May 28. Photos from the “Pingshan Culture and Tourism” WeChat account unless otherwise stated

Pingshan kylin dance, a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage, was performed at the opening of the 9th International Festival of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, on May 28. The dance attracted widespread attention for its lively movements that blend strength and grace.

In recent years, modern technology has brought this 300-year-old dance into the digital realm, revitalizing this important Hakka heritage. According to Prof. Zhang Jie from Shenzhen University’s School of Sports, Pingshan’s “digital kylin dance” project was launched in 2024 by the district’s culture, media, tourism, and sports bureau in collaboration with the university.

Through field studies and research of relevant literature, the project’s cross-disciplinary team has traced the historical development, ritual significance, and artistic characteristics of the Pingshan kylin dance. They have also established a comprehensive electronic archive to digitally preserve this intangible cultural heritage.

Pingshan kylin dance is staged in Chengdu, Sichuan Province on May 28. 

In addition, the project produced videos and brochures based on interviews with inheritors and organized lectures and performances at various universities to promote the dance among young people. The project has received multiple awards at Shenzhen University and a provincial award in recognition of its academic value.

The Pingshan Guangwutang Kylin Dance Team is working with Shenzhen Kenqing Technology Co. Ltd. and Shenzhen University’s Sports AI Lab. Using motion capture systems and self-learning AI algorithms, traditional kylin dance movements are transformed into digital models. The system captures the dancers’ movements in real time using smart wearables and then generates a movement database. The project has applied for several patents.

Pingshan resident Mehran, from Iran, poses for a photo with a kylin dance performer at the Pingshan Pavilion during the ICIF in Shenzhen on May 22. Photo courtesy of Maluan Subdistrict Office

Prof. Zhang said that they plan to advance academic research on the digital preservation of intangible cultural heritage and strengthen industry-university-research integration. During the 21st China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF), Shenzhen University’s kylin dance team and child performers from Guangwutang delighted visitors with lively kylin dance presentations, showcasing the tradition’s enduring legacy and vitality among the younger generation.