Cai Gaoqiao, or walking on stilts, is another popular traditional performance of the Spring Festival, especially in Northern China. Cai means walking on, and Gaoqiao means stilts. According to the archives, the ancient Chinese began using stilts to help them gather fruits from trees. This practical use of stilts gradually developed into a kind of folk dance.
The Gaoqiao performance requires high skills and varies in different forms of the act. Usually, the performers tie two long stilts to their feet, making them higher than others when standing on them. On their “moving stage”, the masses deeply love them.
The Cai Gaoqiao performance is a perfect fit for the celebration of Chinese New Year; apart from being incredibly breathtaking in performance and leaving guests in awe and amusement, they bring light and colour from old traditions, drawing people together whilst they bring a smile to their faces.
Stilts performers alongside Dolly Head performers and Chinese Lion dancers, part of a Chinese Act
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