Jiaozhou, a county-level city in Qingdao, Shandong province, were recently given the title of "Hometown of Chinese Folk Culture and Art of 2021 to 2023" by China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Performers stage a Jiaozhou yangko dance. [Photo/dzwww.com]

Jiaozhou yangko dance is one of the three main genres of yangko in Shandong. It is popular in Jiaozhou, southwest of the Shandong Peninsula. The dance reflects the particular charm of the countryside and is valued for its aesthetics. It was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage item in 2006.

In recent years, Jiaozhou has been ramping up efforts to promote the inheritance and development of Jiaozhou yangko dance. The dance has been performed in various high-level activities to increase its international profile.