Tong Panfeng (C front) poses for a group photo with some members of a lion dance team near Qiantong ancient town in Ninghai County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 21, 2022. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)
NINGHAI, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Tong Panfeng is a lion dance enthusiast. At the age of 26, he quit his job to learn lion dance.
In 2016, with the support of local government, Tong returned to his hometown to promote lion dance at primary and middle schools with an aim to help students keep fit and inherit the traditional culture.
Thanks to Tong's efforts, many students joined the lion dance team in the town and they often practice lion dance in their spare time. In recent years, the team has achieved good results in provincial and national championships many times.
The lion dance is not only a sport but also a cultural tradition which has made the ancient town full of vitality.
Tong Panfeng instructs members of a lion dance team during a training near Qiantong ancient town in Ninghai County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 20, 2022. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)
A member of a lion dance team interacts with a boy at Qiantong ancient town in Ninghai County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 20, 2022. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)
Wang Shibo, 12, a member of a lion dance team, attends a training at Qiantong ancient town in Ninghai County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 20, 2022. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)
Zhang Zhenhao, 13, a member of a lion dance team, poses for a photo during a training at Qiantong ancient town in Ninghai County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 20, 2022. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)
Members of a lion dance team interact with tourists at Qiantong ancient town in Ninghai County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 20, 2022. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)
Members of a lion dance team attend a training at Qiantong ancient town in Ninghai County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 21, 2022. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)
In this aerial photo, Tong Panfeng instructs members of a lion dance team during a training near Qiantong ancient town in Ninghai County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 20, 2022. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)
Tong Panfeng poses for a photo at Qiantong ancient town in Ninghai County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 21, 2022. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)
Young members of a lion dance team prepare for training at Qiantong ancient town in Ninghai County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 21, 2022. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)■
