International street dance contest to rock Pingyao in July

The Ancient City of Pingyao will stage its first international street dance competition between July 31 and Aug 3, according to a press conference held on June 27.

The competition, sponsored by the China Hip-Hop Union Committee, Shanxi branch and the Pingyao government, will consist of eight programs involving five dance types including hip hop and break dancing. 

More than 2,000 dancers in some 40 teams from over 10 countries -- including the United States, France, Brazil, Japan and South Korea -- will take part in the event.

To ensure professional standards are kept, the organizers will invite 15 famous dancers from street dance circles in China, US, Japan and South Korea to be judges and and masters of ceremonies. 

Originating in US in the 1960s, street dance involves many different types of dances based on different street cultures or musical styles. It was introduced to China in the 1980s and gradually became popular among young Chinese.