Traditional warrior dance now welcomes all

GUANGZHOU — Clad in a black costume and brandishing a black-and-white serpent prop, Chen Zhihui led dozens of performers through a mesmerizing dance as they rhythmically struck drumsticks together in unison.

The Yingge Dance, or "dance to the hero's song", merges opera, dance and martial arts. Dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), it is often performed during traditional Chinese festivals but became a sensation this Chinese New Year after videos of performances racked up millions of views online.

Chen comes from Tongyu township in Guangdong province. He has more than 20 years of experience in Yingge dancing and is nicknamed "fat snake" for his sturdy physique and snake-dancing abilities.