Gao Xingde - Bimo Shaman-priest in Xuanwei City, Qujing

Huang Chun (黄纯) is a highly respected provincial-level representative inheritor of intangible cultural heritage from Nanzhao Town (南诏镇), Weishan Yi and Hui Autonomous County (巍山彝族回族自治县), Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture (大理白族自治州), Yunnan Province (云南省).

He has played a key role in protecting, innovating, and transmitting the traditional art of High-Platform Performance (高台艺术/高台社火), a spectacular folk practice unique to Weishan with over a century of history.

Quick Facts

Artistic Career and Key Contributions

• Early Passion: From a young age, Huang Chun showed a strong interest in traditional opera and music. In the 1980s, he became head of the Weishan Amateur Dian Opera Troupe, directing and starring in numerous local opera productions.

• Mastering High-Platform Art: Through careful observation and practice, he acquired a complete set of skills for creating and performing high-platform folk shows.

• Innovation in 1980: To adapt to modern performance settings, he creatively transformed high-platform structures by using small engineering vehicles, allowing the art form to be performed in motion and giving it renewed vitality.

• Cultural Revival: When high-platform performances faced decline, Huang Chun’s expertise became crucial. During a local food festival organized for tourism, he personally revived the tradition by guiding every detail—from platform construction to costumes and performance skills. He also participated in recording oral histories and video archives, preserving invaluable knowledge for future generations.

The Artistic Charm of High-Platform Folk Shows (高台社火)

High-platform folk art in Weishan (巍山) blends acrobatics, opera, and visual artistry.

• Performance Style: Children are dressed as characters from opera, folklore, or mythology—such as “Sun Wukong Battles the White Bone Demon” (孙悟空三打白骨精) or “Mu Guiying in Battle” (穆桂英大战洪州)—and appear to stand on moving platforms several meters above the ground.

• Visual Illusion: Techniques such as “false feet” create the thrilling impression that performers balance on one leg at great height, astonishing spectators.

• Cultural Value: With its blend of artistry and storytelling, the high-platform show is not only entertainment but also a vivid expression of community identity and creativity.

Transmission and Legacy

Thanks to Huang Chun’s guidance and government support, high-platform folk art has been successfully preserved.

• Apprenticeship: His student, Qin Zhicheng (钦志成), has since become a provincial-level inheritor of the project, taking on the responsibility of leading performances.

• Community Revival: Today, high-platform shows are again a highlight of Weishan festivals, and they are also introduced into schools and communities to attract new enthusiasts.

A Story of Love, Dedication, and Hope

Huang Chun’s life is a moving chapter in the preservation of Chinese folk culture. More than just an artist, he is a cultural guardian who saved a dying tradition and ensured its continuation.

His story reflects the enduring spirit of Yunnan’s people: creativity, resilience, and respect for heritage.

✨ For travelers visiting Weishan (巍山) in Dali (大理), witnessing a High-Platform Performance is a cultural experience not to be missed—an extraordinary fusion of acrobatics, opera, and folk tradition that Huang Chun helped keep alive.