The 2026 China Dragon and Lion Dance Open (Shouxian County ) Held

From January 1 to 3, the 2026 China Dragon and Lion Dance Open (Shouxian County) was successfully held in Shouxian County, an ancient city in Huainan. This event, guided by the Social Sports Guidance Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, was organized by the Chinese Dragon and Lion Dance Sports Association, the Anhui Provincial Administration of Sport, and the Huainan Municipal People's Government. It was the first national-level sports event in Anhui Province in 2026.

The competition featured events such as the freestyle routine dragon dance and the Chinese southern lion high-post freestyle routine, with over a dozen teams from across the country competing on stage. Dressed in ethnic clothing, the participants performed with agility and grace, their dragon bodies soaring and twisting, while the Chinese southern lions leaped and tumbled on the high posts, winning rounds of applause from the audience. During the event, a dragon and lion parade was held, allowing the majestic dragon and lion to weave through the ancient streets, creating a fascinating interplay with the three-thousand-year-old Chu Cultural heritage of Shouxian County.

Shouxian County has been insisting on using culture to promote tourism, vigorously promoting the integration of "sports+culture and tourism". The event was accompanied by intangible cultural heritage exhibitions, folk experiences, and other activities, vividly showcasing the combination of traditional culture and modern sports. The competition not only presented a cultural and sports feast for the audience, but also revitalized the millennium-old city and showcased the profound historical and cultural charm of Huainan to the world.