Students practice acrobatics in the rehearsal hall of Hebei Wuqiao Acrobatic Art School on September 15, 2021. 

Wuqiao County in Hebei Province is known as the acrobatics capital of China. In 2006, Wuqiao acrobatics was included in the first list of China’s national intangible cultural heritage items. 

Historical records show that Wuqiao has long been a hub for acrobatic performances in Hebei. For instance, acrobatic scenes were found on tomb murals from the Jin Dynasty (265-420). By the Song Dynasty (960-1279), acrobatics had gained popularity among the general public, and during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and the Republic of China period (1912-1949), the popularity of acrobatics originating from Wuqiao reached its peak. 

As a form of performance, it has continued to evolve over the past 2,000 years. During this course, a set of rules and practices related to techniques, training, props, and team management have been established. As a result, an all-round acrobatic industry has taken shape in Wuqiao, winning wide acclaim in the Chinese acrobatic circle. 

Wuqiao is home to a large number of acrobatic artists specializing in a diverse range of acts. There are seven main categories of traditional acts — body techniques, prop techniques, disguise and imitation, animal training, equestrian stunts, traditional magic, and comic performance — comprising a total of 486 distinct subgenres. These performances embody Wuqiao people’s love of martial arts and their spirit of perseverance. 

Today, a new generation of Wuqiao acrobats continues to carry forward this cultural legacy, bringing this ancient art to the global stage. Founded in 1987, China Wuqiao International Circus Festival is regarded as one of the world’s major circus events, alongside Monaco’s International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo, and France’s Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain. 

In 1993, the Wuqiao Acrobatics World Theme Park was opened to the public. Today, it receives over 800,000 visitors annually and employs more than 300 staff. Since 2002, the Wuqiao Acrobatic Art School has trained nearly 700 foreign students. These students not only help spread Wuqiao acrobatics to all corners of the globe, but also promote mutual understanding between China and other countries.