Dance drama sets scene for year ahead

Old favorite returns in a new format that is still guaranteed to thrill audiences

Dance drama Qianshou Guanyin (thousand-hand bodhisattva) has long been etched in the hearts of the Chinese people as a brilliant cultural symbol. On New Year's Eve, a revamped version of this famous performance premiered at the Shanxi Grand Theater in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, accompanying the audience in welcoming the arrival of 2025.

Originally introduced to the public in 2005 during China Central Television's Spring Festival Gala, the dance quickly captivated viewers from home and abroad. By 2011, it had gained international acclaim, both versions being the brainchild of renowned director Zhang Jigang.

When discussing the inspiration behind the dance, Zhang highlights the influence of his hometown, Shanxi. The exquisite Thousand-Hand Guanyin at the Jinge Temple in Wutai Mountain and the Thousand-Hand Thousand-Eye Guanyin at Chongshan Temple in Taiyuan served as creative inspirations for the dance's iconic imagery.