Source: CCTV.com

07-29-2008 18:25

Special Report:   2008 Beijing Olympic Games

A traditional sport played by China's Tu ethnic group has become part of the program for the opening of the Games. A 70-member team of Lunziqiu, or "Wheel Swing" players, left their hometown in northwest China's Qinghai Province, Monday and headed for Beijing.

A traditional sport played by China's Tu ethnic group has become part of the program for the opening of the Games. A 70-member team of Lunziqiu, or "Wheel Swing" players, left their hometown in northwest China's Qinghai Province, Monday and headed for Beijing.
A traditional sport, Lunziqiu, or "Wheel Swing", played by
China's Tu ethnic group has become part of the program for the
opening of the Games.(File Photo)

Lunziqiu started as a children's game. It was played on the wheel of a hand-drawn cart. At a standard Lunziqiu performance, a high iron axle spins at high velocity, propelling two swings. On each swing, a colorfully dressed member of the Tu ethnic minority performs acrobatic stunts. This is accompanied by delightful folk music.

Lunziqiu, or "Wheel Swing"
People of Tu ethnic minority (File Photo)

Today Lunziqiu has become a popular, standard form of entertainment at harvest celebrations. The sport is also called "aerial ballet." It requires a lot of skill.

The 70-member team from the Tu Autonomous County of Huzhu, Qinghai Province are practicing - gearing up for a splendid performance to amaze audiences around the world, at the opening of the Olympic Games, August 8th.