According to an old Chinese saying, "Insiders look for mastery of the trade and outsiders want a spectacle." This summer the talented members of the Wudouzhai Stilt Dancing troupe will surely satisfy experienced dancers with their precision and newcomers with their awe-inspiring rhythmic routines.

The best part is, most of their performances in Beijing are free and open to the public.

During the Olympics, the troupe performs daily at Grand View Garden Park, one of the "Beijing Live" sites, from 9:30 am to 10:30 am until Aug 23.

Stilt dancers perform a variety of tricky stunts - swaying, playing gongs, and even turning somersaults - all while balanced on a pair of stilts approximately three feet high.

The performers are dressed as characters from famous works of Chinese literature, and the stilts are hidden beneath gorgeous red flowing robes. In addition to feats of dizzying athleticism, the troupe members perform skits with a great deal of fun and humor.

Stilt dancing originated in the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) as a kind of rural folk dance that commemorated key stages in the annual cycle of planting and harvesting rice. The unique dance form was also much admired by Ci Xi, the last imperial dowager empress of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Fortunately, these skilled performers are keeping the time-honored tradition alive today.

Cheng Anqi

Address: Grand View Garden, 12 Nan Caiyuan, Xuanwu district 宣武区南菜园12号大观园

Performances: 9:30 am-10:30 pm, daily until Aug 23

Tel: 6354-4993