Stunning female group dances shine at China's Spring Festival Gala

Two female group dances depicting ancient mural art and fresh spring scenery wowed audience in China Media Group (CMG)'s 2026 Spring Festival Gala on Monday.

Through magnificent music and dazzling dance, the dance "Ancient Rhythm of the Silk Road" brings millennium-old murals to life on stage, recreating the vibrant charm of the ancient Silk Road.

"The inspiration comes from the Cave of the Musicians, which is Cave 38 of the Kizil Caves. When we visited the cave, we saw that the murals had already peeled off and become very mottled. For us, the challenge lies in how to restore the murals in our mind, expand our imagination, and make them flow with life again, despite the fact that the still images are fading off," said Tong Ruirui, choreographer of the TV gala celebration of the Chinese New Year of the Horse.

The Kizil Caves, located in Aksu Prefecture of Xinjiang in northwestern China, are among the earliest Buddhist cave complexes in China, dating back more than 1,000 years.

Tong said advanced VR technology applied to the stage design has improved the aesthetic level of the performance.

"Virtual technology accomplished a spectacle that cannot be achieved by dancers on the stage, immersing the audience into the world of murals, as if the Cave of the Musicians had come back to life. A virtual jeweled crown is presented to the audience at the end of the program, which subtly aligns with the meaning that Kizil was a pearl on the ancient Silk Road," she said.

Another spectacular dance program in the TV gala was "Auspicious Rain", inspired by the gentle rains of spring. Delicate adornments echo a soft drizzle, evoking the season’s tenderness, freshness, and quiet vitality.

"The dance was inspired by Chinese poet Du Fu's widely celebrated poem "Joyful Rain on a Spring Night", and the poem says 'Good rain knows its time.' With the beauty of this poem and the aesthetic essence of the Jiangnan region of China, we create this female dance program, blending the vividness of the spring night rain with the grace of ladies from Jiangnan, and thereby showcase the reserved beauty and elegant demeanor unique to our Eastern women," said Wang Zhenbing, dance director of the gala.

Recognized by Guinness World Records as the most-watched annual television program on the planet, the Spring Festival Gala, hosted by China Media Group, is a cherished part of Spring Festival celebrations in hundreds of millions of Chinese homes every year.

The annual gala continues to push the boundaries of artistic expression, using advanced technologies such as AI, AR and XR extensively in stage design and creating immersive audiovisual effects for the audience.

Stunning female group dances shine at China's Spring Festival Gala

People across China ushered in the 2026 Chinese New Year -- a Year of the Horse -- on Tuesday with vibrant displays of intangible cultural heritage, folk performances, and festive market activities, drawing millions of visitors into immersive celebrations.

In northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the ancient city of Kashgar scenic area has transformed into a festive destination, with over 80 events held to welcome visitors to experience the rich tapestry of local culture during the nine-day holiday season of the Spring Festival, which is in the start of the Chinese New Year.

With a gate-opening ceremony at 10:30, the ancient city greeted visitors with traditional ethnic Uyghur dances and folk music.

"I think the ancient city is filled with the Spring Festival vibes. The gate-opening ceremony is of a strong festive atmosphere. Coming here for the Spring Festival makes an absolutely wonderful experience," said Mao, a tourist from Beijing.

At the entrance to a bazaar, performers from multiple ethnic groups, dressed in festive attire, were dancing and singing together, filling every corner of the ancient city with joy and holiday spirit.

In Putian City, east China's Fujian Province, a commercial street has been transformed into a pedestrian-only market zone with over 100 stalls offering thousands of items, ranging from local traditional food, to creative cultural products designed for the Year of the Horse -- the seventh of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac.

"I was able to sit down for a handicraft activity, transforming from a spectator into a participant. I just finished embroidering a red horse, perfect for the Spring Festival atmosphere," said Yao Xiuqi, a tourist from south China's Guangdong Province.

The eastern coastal city of Rizhao in Shangdong Province ushered in the Spring Festival with dazzling displays and lively performances.

In Dongyi Town, a morning parade featuring traditional dragon and lion dances, dry-land boat performances, and a Yangge dance winded through the streets.

A market alongside the parade route offered visitors local delicacies and cultural products.

In the ancient town in Juxian County, dressed in traditional Chinese attire, Hanfu, performers staged a captivating parade. Visitors strolled through the historic streets, immersing themselves in the unique blend of traditional culture and Spring Festival celebrations.

"The ancient town is truly lively today. Walking along, I've seen so many wonderful performances. It feels especially festive," said Xue Junjie, a visitor.

Vibrant celebrations held across China to usher in Year of Horse