Taiyuan gong and drum dance

(chinadaily.com.cn)

Taiyuan gong and drum dance is a folk percussion performance popular in Taiyuan, Jinzhong, and Lyuliang cities in North China's Shanxi province.

It is mainly staged during the festivals or ceremonies, being an important part of the cultural life of people in Taiyuan city and its surrounding areas. 

The performances are mainly characterized by the use of cymbals, gongs and drums – when people dance to sharp rhythms, using vigorous, masculine movements, while beating the musical instruments. 

In some celebrations, two groups of performers compete with each other as a traditional folk custom.

In 2008 the Taiyuan gong and drum dance, celebrating the bold and unconstrained culture of the Loess Plateau, was included in the list of China's national intangible cultural heritage.