All You Need to Know about Chinese Square Dancing

"Hey! You know? Recently…A hot outdoor activity…"

"Is it square dancing?"

"Yeah, you're right. It's super popular!"

A hot outdoor activity rapidly sweeps at home and abroad in recent years, known in Chinese as "Guang Chang Wu", or "square dancing" in English. As you can see, a group of dancers can be seen almost everywhere, such as squares, parks, plazas and neighborhood, etc. As more and more people join in, a happy atmosphere has gradually formed in our daily life, which has become an important part of Chinese folk culture.

The square dancing is not only welcome by the Chinese grannies, but also goes outside, appearing at famous attractions like Red Square in Moscow, the Louvre in Paris, even learning by the international stars, like French actress Sophie Marceau and British comic character Mr. Bean.

What's square dancing?

When people talk about square dancing, the first impression is a crowd of Chinese grannies in their forties or fifties, dancing with a fan in hands and a loudspeaker playing on the square. But as times change, it has become more of an all-ages activity, without limitation of sex and sites. Specifically, square dancing has no fixed rules, therefore, all you need to do is to relax and be the one of the dancing party.

Some residents in colorful clothes are dancing in the recreation square

1. Make up: The dancers mainly are middle-aged women, but recently more and more men and young people have got involved.

2. Selection of sites: Square is the major option, but there are no strict limits. Some other sites, such as parks, plazas, neighborhoods are also popular with dancers.

3. Popular songs: Little Apple and The Coolest Ethnic Trend and other modern songs.

4. Major equipment:

• Props: fans, waist drums, oil-paper umbrellas, water sleeves, handkerchiefs, etc.

• Costume: color-coordinated dresses, folk costumes, military uniforms, etc.

• Loudspeaker

5. Types and styles: It has no fixed steps with many different types, like free dance, ballroom dance, battle dance, etc.

Why square dancing?

"It makes our life full of sunshine." - an old lady who is having a rest on a square in Guilin

Square dancing is a great form of exercise for fun and health, no cost, easy to learn, full of happiness. A study by Queen's University Belfast of the United Kingdom found that dancing contributes to living longer. On the one hand, it makes the old people get together, increase understanding and communication between each other, and relieve their loneliness, helping them realize they are not alone in the society. On the other hand, it is of great benefit to reducing ache of the whole body for the aging.

A mother practices dancing with her son

1. Make more friends

As the pace of life speeds up, most of the Chinese young people work outside and do not have much time to stay with their parents. Or the elderly have little time to have fun until their daughters and sons come home from work to take care of the children. So, square dancing is a good option for them. They go out of the house, going square dancing, making new friends, talking and laughing. After dancing, they may buy vegetables, go shopping, play Mahjong and sing Karaoke together, etc.

2. Keep healthy

Square dancing is an aerobic exercise with many benefits, mainly including:

• It can improve the condition of heart and lungs, speed up metabolism and promote digestion to slow down the aging process and improve immunity.

• People will be immersed in the music world and graceful movements, helping protect against memory loss and purify their minds.

• people will practice a variety of dance movements that contribute to shape their muscles and improve balance function.

Where to go and see the square dancing in China?

1. Beihai Park, Beijing: the paradise of dancers

Located in the city center, Beihai Park is one of the oldest imperial gardens with the tranquil landscape, which paints a real picture of this ancient city: writing calligraphy using water brushes, blind date party and so on. Also, here is the paradise of square dancing.

The tranquil Beihai Park

In one corner of the park, several aunties dressed in bright clothing step to the rhythm of music gracefully so that some children are also attracted to take part in them. One child imitates seriously, while the others have their freestyle. On another part of the park, a large crowd has gathered and most of them are dancing in pairs. Some of them change with their dancing partner in fast-paced constantly, while some of them practice the new steps hard. What an exciting scene!

2. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi'an: life show in the ancient town

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is a Buddhist pagoda located in southern Xi'an, Shaanxi province, China. It is the landmark of Xi'an city, the ancient capital of China. The south and north squares are wonderful places for visitors in the day, as well as recreation places for old people to square dancing at night.

The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda at night

After dark, some old men play the Suona (Chinese musical instrument) and beat the drums and gongs (a musical percussion instrument), and the old women do the Yangge dance (Chinese folk dance), taking colorful fans in hand. As the joyful sound of instruments begins, the women in two separated groups, dressed in loose suits, wave the fans of pink and green merrily. Standing before them is the leader who hands with a gold fan. They get together, then divide into two groups as the melody goes. How lively they are!

3. People's Park, Chengdu: dance has no border

Located in the city center, People's Park, built in1911, is a beautiful public park which paints a real picture of slow life of Chengdu: staying in the tea house, listening to storytelling, picking the ears, blind date and so on.

Teahouse in Chengdu

In one corner of the park, a 68-years-old granny Zhang invites a couple of foreign travelers to dance together. She takes one of the lady's hands in her right hand and the man's in her left hand, changing with these two dancing partners constantly. From the look on their faces, the couple is very fond of square dancing with granny Zhang. At rest, granny Zhang talks to the people around her and she said: "Dance has no border and is a way of music communication. I like inviting foreign friends to dance together when they come, just like a family."

 Partner dances in the People's Park in Chengdu

Some tips before going square dancing

1. Select the right time

Not too early or late. It's better to go square dancing half an hour to one hour after supper. Don't dance on an empty stomach in the early morning. If dance in the morning, we would like to advise you to dance when the sun comes out.

2. Select the right dance

Square dancing has different types, some are difficult, and some are easy. It's better to choose dances of suitable strength given the healthy condition, especially the elderly.

3. Warm-up before dancing

Do a basic warm-up before a dance, like twisting wrist, kicking legs, twisting waist, etc., so as to warm-up all the muscles and reduce the risk of straining muscles. A 5-minute to 10-minute warm-up is ok.

4. Select the right clothes

For clothes, loose ones with cotton materials are better to increase circulation of blood; for shoes, a pair of comfortable sports shoes is necessary. It's not recommended to wear leather shoes, high-heeled shoes.

5.Control the time

Time should be controlled with half an hour to one hour. If time is too long, it's not for good health.

Immersed in this happy dancing party at the music night, we feel young and energetic. Indeed, square dancing is an indispensable part of Chinese people's lives. What's more, it symbolizes a positive attitude of Chinese towards life. Do you go to square dance tonight? Welcome to China, and tailor-make a dancing tour!