Flamenco dance, one of Spain's most iconic and emotionally charged art forms, is gaining popularity in China, reflecting deeper connections between Chinese and Spanish culture as people from both countries recognize a shared sense of expressiveness and respect for tradition.
Originating from the Andalusia region of southern Spain, flamenco is a multifaceted art form that intertwines intricate footwork, expressive hand movements, soulful singing, and guitar playing. Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, it is renowned for its ability to convey profound emotions ranging from deep sorrow to exuberant joy through improvisation and intense physical expression.
In Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang province, a local studio called Cielo, meaning sky, recently hosted a master class led by renowned flamenco dancer María Juncal. The session introduced participants not only to technique, but also to flamenco as a living expression of Spanish cultural heritage.
Seeing the art form embraced so far from its origins, Juncal said she has been deeply moved.
"Flamenco means an expression and means something to say, and it was a scream from the soul. Always, when I get to the place and see that kind of thing, for example, that kind of (dance studio like) Cielo, it makes me feel (a certain thrill). Why? Because in the other side of the world, there are some people, many people who are, together around the flamenco, taking care of the flamenco," said Juncal.
These dance studios have helped make Flamenco increasingly appealing to young people in China. Many are drawn by the opportunity for fitness, the unique dance skills it employs, and the spirit of freedom it embodies.
"Flamenco is the dance of emotion. The dance delivers not only happiness, but also bitter and sorrow," said Liu Xinchi, founder of the Cielo Flamenco Studio.
Beyond the dance floor, flamenco is also serving as a bridge between cultures. At the Instituto Cervantes in Shanghai, Spain's official cultural center for promoting Spanish language and culture abroad, institute director Isabel Cervera said that interest in Spanish-language culture is steadily growing, yet there is still a lot to explore to bring the two peoples together.
"We believe Spanish-language culture is very important in today's globalized world. Our culture is diverse, because Latin America and Spain are on two different continents, with different traditions, and also common points. And we think Chinese audiences are really interested in that. From more traditional expressions, like flamenco from Spain, to Latin rhythms like salsa," said Cervera.
Her words were echoed by another flamenco dancer in Shanghai, who values the shared feelings that go beyond cultural differences and bring people together.
"For all the Chinese people, for Shanghainese people, flamenco is not that far away. The way to express the emotion in Flamenco is a little bit how to say contrary. It's the opposite from Asian culture. But at the same time, the feelings, they are all connected," said Ana Chiu, a professional flamenco dancer who was born in Taiwan and established her career in Shanghai.
Cultures click heels as Flamenco gains popularity in China
From amateur football leagues to scenic mountain trail races and seasonal themed runs, grassroots sporting events across China have more than just ignited athletic passion, but also become powerful engines for cultural and tourism consumption.
On Sunday night, the eight-month-long inaugural Chongqing City Football Super League, also known as Yuchao, culminated in a thrilling final at the Chongqing Olympic Sports Center. With tickets priced at just 10 yuan (about 1.46 U.S. dollars) each, the match sold out within 30 seconds when sales opened on April 7.
Finally, Liangjiang Linkong FC clinched the championship with a 2-1 victory over Jiangjin Runtong Power FC, drawing a record-breaking crowd of 54,260 spectators, the largest attendance ever for an amateur football league match in Chongqing and for the venue since its opening.
Since kicking off last September, Yuchao has hosted matches every weekend, attracting 2.05 million spectators in total and surpassing 120 million online views.
"Every match day, I buy my tickets in advance just to be here," said Li Wei, a football fan.
"We come to every game. We love it, and so does our kid, who is now learning to play football," said Li Ping, another fan.
Local authorities have capitalized on the momentum by launching fan markets, "ticket-stub tourism" discounts, and special offers for visiting supporters.
During league periods, hotel occupancy rates in host cities rose by an average of 40 percent, restaurant revenues more than doubled, and indirect consumption spurred by the events approached 12.3 billion yuan (about 1.8 billion U.S. dollars).
On Saturday, the 2026 Jiangsu Football City League, also known as Suchao, opened in Changzhou City, drawing fans from across Jiangsu Province and beyond. The first round of four matches in Changzhou, Wuxi, Lianyungang and Yangzhou attracted over 120,000 spectators in total.
"I came all the way from Shanghai. At first, I didn't know anything about Suchao, but then I started seeing various short videos on online platforms. It looked really fun," said Gu Bin, a fan.
"What draws me most is the raw passion. It's so real to me," said Lu Zhen, another fan.
This year, Suchao extended its schedule by one month, increasing the total matches to 91 to boost tourism spending. Outside the Changzhou Olympic Sports Center, themed markets drew crowds of residents and tourists who couldn't secure match tickets, turning game day into a full-day shopping spree.
From Friday to Saturday, the 2026 Village Super League (Cunchao) Gansu Provincial Qualifiers took place in Liangdang County, Longnan City. Winning teams will advance to represent Gansu at the second national Cunchao finals in Rongjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province.
In a creative twist, all 37 participating teams from Gansu showcased representative local agricultural products during the opening ceremony parade.
"To promote our local agricultural products and help them reach broader, more promising markets, we brought them to the Village Super League to showcase them to everyone," said Wang Duihong, a local village official.
Beyond football, adventure sports are also driving rural tourism. On Sunday, a mountain trail challenge in Huixian County of Longnan City drew over 4,000 trail runners from China and abroad. The course wound through picturesque farmland, traditional villages and natural landmarks like Qingni Ridge and the Jialing River Gorges.
"It was my first time here, so I chose the 25-kilometer race. After actually completing the run, I can say the scenery was truly stunning. However, in order to maintain my pace, I didn't stop to take photos of some of the beautiful views along the way, which is a bit regrettable. I hope to come back again in the future," said Chen Jingshu, a runner.
After the race, participants could visit local cultural tourism streets to purchase regional specialties. Organizers offered discounts for those showing their race bibs, with options for direct home delivery of purchases.
In Qujing City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, a year-round calendar of themed running events keeps visitors engaged. At the recent spring trail race in Luoping County, over 700 runners participated, mostly from outside the region.
The course connected multiple core scenic areas, offering both competitive categories for serious athletes and leisurely family-friendly options. Prizes included locally raised pork, live chickens, and geese.
Upon finishing, participants were welcomed with a traditional long-table banquet featuring regional cuisine, effectively transforming "a day of racing" into "a week of travel."
Grassroots sports events fuel tourism spending across China
