Members of the troupe, including Deng Binguang (second from right), pose for a photo at the CCTV studio. [PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY]

In China, lion dance has a history of more than 1,000 years and is divided by different performing styles, based on regions. Performed on occasions such as the new year or the setting up of a new business, the traditional entertainment is popular not only in the country but also among overseas Chinese.

Some other parts of Asia also have local lion dances.

Foshan is the birthplace of Nan Shi, or southern-style Chinese lion dance that originated in Guangdong. The city is also known for martial arts.

"Lion dance performances can be seen in our hometown whenever people celebrate holidays," says Deng, 29, who was born in a village in Tengxian county, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

It was the first time he had performed at the CCTV gala. He learned to practice kung fu as a child and joined a local lion dance team at the age of 8. Deng says he was drawn to the cloth lions and the sounds of drum, cymbals and gongs that accompanied the performers when he watched them in his younger days.

"I was impressed by the performers' breathtaking techniques. Their movement from pole to pole made it feel as if they were flying," says Deng.

From squatting to jumping, and making a cloth lion blink to manipulating its head on poles, Deng spent over a year mastering the basic techniques about lion dance.