The 2026 Dragon and Lion Dance Culture Carnival and the Traditional Southern Lion Invitational took place at Huacheng Square in Tianhe on Oct 24 and 25.

A Southern lion dance performance at the event. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]

This city-level competition, part of the 2026 China Lion King Super Challenge, brought together 29 local lion dance teams competing for a spot in the national competition.

Southern lion culture is a form of local folk art within traditional Chinese culture, originating in the southern parts of China, with the lion dance as its primary performance form. The Southern lion dance, with its unique postures and movements, symbolizes auspiciousness, courage, and good fortune.

The diverse lineup included traditional teams from villages like Liangxin and Yagang, as well as young teams from various educational institutions. Performances featured traditional legends, showcasing the deep-rooted cultural heritage and vibrancy of the southern lion tradition.

According to the competition rules, the top six teams advanced to the national finals in November. Additionally, the Most Popular Lion King Award was determined through online voting, with the Yinghao Dragon and Lion Dance Sports Association emerging as the winner.

Awards presented at the Southern Lion Invitational in Tianhe. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]

Zhong Jianfeng, vice-chairman of the Tianhe District Dragon and Lion Dance Sports Association, emphasized the importance of this platform in promoting Lingnan's intangible cultural heritage, saying that the competition fosters cultural appreciation and community engagement.