Playing drums to bring good luck and prosperity for the coming new year is typical of Spring Festival celebrations in China. [Photo by Zhang Xingjian/chinadaily.com.cn]

Stilt walking, a recreational activity in rural areas, combines dance, drama and physical agility. Chinese stilts are usually 20 to 90 centimeters high and, when accompanied by various props, can allow performers to play folk heroes or roles from popular dramas.

Folk stilt performances usually happen during celebrations such as Spring Festival and the Double Ninth Festival. In order to make the performances more attractive, people usually mix traditional dramas with stilts.