During the 2024 Spring Festival, Chaoshan's Yingge dance exploded across Chinese social media, racking up billions of views. Painted-faced dancers wielding short wooden cudgels leap and roar to thundering drums — a spectacle often called the "Chinese war dance". Hengtong Holiday (+86 137 9925 4912) explains how and when to see it.
What Is Yingge Dance?
Yingge is the most iconic folk dance of the Chaoshan region and a national intangible cultural heritage, with more than 400 years of history. Performers wear operatic face-paint inspired by the 108 heroes of Water Margin, and strike two short wooden sticks while moving in powerful formations. A full troupe includes dancers, opera scenes and martial arts.
When to See It
Spring Festival to Lantern Festival (1st–15th of Lunar New Year)
The most authentic season. Villages across Puning, Jieyang and Chaoyang stage parades daily. Top teams include the Fumei Youth Yingge, Fenggang Yingge and Nigou Yingge troupes.
Year-Round Show: "The Tide Returns"
For visitors outside the festival period, the regular stage show "The Tide Returns" (Da Chao Gui Lai) at Chaozhou Theatre blends Yingge dance, Chaozhou opera, gong-and-drum music and porcelain inlay art. Hengtong Holiday can book tickets in advance.
Other Temple Festivals
During Mazu's birthday, Guanyin festivals and village "Ying Laoye" processions, Yingge teams often perform. Dates vary by village; follow the official "Chaozhou Wenlü" and "Jieyang Wenlü" accounts.
Tips
Spring Festival parades move spontaneously — you often follow the troupe through the village. Keep children close, shoot video rather than stills, and book "The Tide Returns" 1–2 days ahead.
For an in-depth Yingge experience during the festival, contact Hengtong Holiday for our guided "Yingge chasing" tours. Call +86 137 9925 4912.