Two women are rehearsing Yingge Dance at Xilong Temple in Chaoyang District, Shantou, Guangdong Province on Monday. The performers are gearing up for their busiest season leading up to the Chinese New Year, which falls on Jan. 29 this year. Dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Yingge Dance, or “dance to the hero’s song,” is a fusion of opera, dance, and martial arts recognized as a State-level intangible cultural heritage. Inspired by the classic Chinese novel “Outlaws of the Marsh,” the dance traditionally involves 36 performers symbolizing the 36 heroes in the novel. Originally performed exclusively by men, it is now embracing the participation of more women. Xinhua | 