Asang, 62, together with his folks, was performing the Guozhuang Dance in Tibetan costumes in the studio of culture station on Aug. 28 in Benzilan Township, Deqin County, northwest Yunnan’s Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.

Guozhuang, an important dancing art belonging to the national-level intangible cultural heritages, boasts a history of 1,500 years。

 Asang is one of the leading dancers in the Benzilan performing team.

Noting certain skills in learning of the art, Asang said he had spent four years to master the Guozhuang dance. He added that over 300 villagers from 109 families there could dance with the support of the culture station.

 “Well, protection and preservation of intangible cultural heritages are highly regarded by more people nowadays. The more they know about the art form, the stronger aspirations they have to pass it down.

Guozhuang dance is also commonly performed in funerals, weddings, festivals, harvest celebration, house moving and guests receiving. Aniu, 56, is Asang’s neighbor. He said that he had been participating in the art form together with Asang for several years.

Asang added they’ll be busier because the First Guozhuang Dance Festival of Benzilan Township will be held from Oct. 11 to 12 this year and they are now preparing.

“Welcome to Benzilan, and we wish you auspiciousness!” Following their singing, Asang and Aniu translated Tibetan words into mandarin for us.

In response, we said the auspiciousness would first come to them and then we’d also share the happiness and blessings. They couldn’t agree more and we had a good time that day.