Traditional Yao ethnic skills enthrall visitors in Guangxi

Traditional skills performed by the Yao ethnic group draw continuous applause from visitors in Guzhantun village in the Jinxiu Yao autonomous county, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, on Saturday night. [Photo by Zhang Zhihao/For chinadaily.com.cn]

On a typical Saturday night in Guzhantun, a village in the Jinxiu Yao autonomous county in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, visitors and tourists can catch a spectacular show of traditional skills performed by the local Yao ethnic group.

Jinxiu Yao autonomous county in Laibin city is home to five branches of the Yao ethnic group, known for their distinct cultural heritage.

The local Yao people have passed down traditional skills through generations, imbuing these practices with a mystical allure. One of the more well-known skills features brave souls walking barefoot across hot coals.

In recent years, these breathtaking feats, once performed in dangerous settings, have transformed into cultural tourism performances, attracting tourists who come to witness and explore.

The village's performance troupe has grown from its initial size of just over 20 performers to more than 70. During the day, team members work as farmers, and at night, they don traditional Yao attire to entertain visitors.

The locals organize over 300 performances annually.

In 2023, statistics show that over 476,300 tourists came to the village to enjoy the breathtaking scenery and the unique cultural traditions of the Yao people.

Traditional skills performed by the Yao ethnic group draw continuous applause from visitors in Guzhantun village in the Jinxiu Yao autonomous county, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, on Saturday night. [Photo by Zhang Zhihao/For chinadaily.com.cn]