A Study on the Promotion Model of Dragon and Lion Dance as a Traditional Ethnic Sport in Chengdu

Abstract

Dragon and lion dance is a fine traditional Chinese sport and an important intangible cultural heritage, aligning with national strategies for ICH protection, culture-tourism integration, rural revitalization, building a sporting powerhouse, and fostering a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation. Taking Chengdu as a case, this study uses literature review, case analysis, and logical analysis to examine the promotion status, achievements, and problems. Findings show that a multi-stakeholder framework involving government, associations, schools, and the market has taken shape, with phased progress in campus programs, cultural tourism performances, and community activities. Yet shortcomings remain: a shortage of professional instructors, non-uniform teaching standards, weak penetration in secondary schools and grassroots communities, low marketization, and an incomplete inheritance mechanism. Highlighting the nationally recognized ICH item—the Huanglongxi Fire Dragon Lantern Dance—and closely following policies on ICH protection, culture-tourism integration, and traditional sports inheritance, this paper distills replicable local experience and proposes optimization paths: strengthening policy implementation, improving the instructor system, introducing ICH into school curricula, deepening culture-tourism integration, refining the inheritance mechanism, and supporting rural revitalization. The study offers theoretical reference and practical evidence for the high-quality development of dragon and lion dance in Chengdu, promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture.