People practice dragon dance on a square in Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, Jiangsu province. [Photo/zjgonline.com.cn]
Two groups – Jiyang Experimental Primary School and Jiangnan Xiangshan Dragon Dance Club – and seven people from Zhangjiagang, a county-level city in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, recently won awards at an online dragon dance competition held by the General Administration of Sport and the Chinese Dragon and Lion Dance Sports Association.
Dragon dance is a traditional Chinese activity that features elements including martial arts, dancing and drum-playing.
Zhangjiagang formed the Jiangnan Xiangshan Dragon Dance Club in 2021 and has since been promoting the activity in local companies, schools and communities. The club comprises more than 300 members and has trained over 4,000 people to date. Dragon dance courses are also offered at the city's sport university for the elderly.
Zhangjiagang is now home to more than 30 dragon dance teams.