1. Fire Dog Dance

A rite of passage for Yao ethnic girls, the Fire Dog Dance dates back to the early Qing Dynasty. It embodies the Yao people's worship of the dog totem and their reverence for coming-of-age traditions. Legend has it that the Yao ancestors were raised on dog's milk, and to this day, the community honors the dog as a symbolic mother by performing the dance every Mid-Autumn Festival.

2. Longhua Grand Drums

With a history of over 600 years, Longhua Grand Drums are a form of folk percussion art originating from Longhua Town in Boluo County during the early Ming Dynasty. Through centuries of evolution and continuous refinement by inheritors, the drumming has developed into a powerful and rhythmically distinctive performance, captivating audiences with its vibrant energy.

3. Xiaojinkou Kylin-Making Craft

Xiaojinkou Kylin Dance, the most iconic, ancient, and widespread Kylin tradition in the middle and upper Dongjiang River region in Huizhou, begins with a frame woven from aged yellow bamboo. This framework is then layered with paper and meticulously adorned by hand with over ten traditional motifs, including dragons, phoenixes, the Bagua diagram, and auspicious clouds—before being finished in vibrant shades of blue, red, yellow, and black.

4. Mo's Boxing

Originating from Huogang Village (present-day Huoguang Village) in Lilin Town, Zhongkai High-Tech Zone, Huizhou, Mo's Boxing has been practiced since the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. It is renowned for its powerful leg techniques, often summarized by the saying, "One kick outweighs three punches." The style emphasizes heel strikes delivered with sharp, rotating movements, making it both fierce and formidable.

Photo | Huizhou Fabu

Text | Cheng Lan (intern), Deng Li (intern)