The 2019 Guangdong Dragon and Lion Dance Championship is held in Zhaoqing, Guangdong province from July 16 to 19. [Photo/gdgn.gov.cn]

The dragon and lion dance group of Guangdong Ocean University (GDOU) from Zhanjiang won a first prize and two second prizes in the 2019 Guangdong Lion Dance Championship held in Zhaoqing, Guangdong province from July 16 to 19.

Participants perform lion dance. [Photo by Feng Tiecheng/chinanews.com]

As a national intangible cultural heritage, dragon and lion dance is an essential part of folk festivals and wedding banquets in South Guangdong. For more than 2,000 years, the dragon and lion dance has been passed down from generation to generation. It has also developed from a spontaneous and entertaining traditional cultural activity into a sports competition project with national characteristics and great ornamental value.

Participants perform lion dance. [Photo by Li Junxia/chinanews.com]

The championship was held by Guangdong Pop Sports Center and Guangdong Dragon and Lion Sports Association. It attracted 155 teams and more than 2,000 participants from all over Guangdong province, such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhanjiang, Foshan, Zhaoqing.

After days of competition, the team from Guangdong Ocean University won first prize in the youth group, second prize in the men's youth group, and second prize in the women's youth group.