At a press conference in Hanoi introducing her upcoming tour, legendary Chinese dancer Yang Liping offered an impromptu demonstration of her iconic "Peacock" moves, captivating the Vietnamese audience with her refined grace and presence.
Yang Liping at the press conference in Hanoi. Photo: Hoa Nguyen
Appearing deeply moved, Yang Liping shared her joy in bringing the "Peacock" dance to Vietnamese audiences for the first time. For her, this tour is not just a performance, but an artistic journey that bridges culture and emotion between China and Vietnam.
Born into the Bai ethnic minority community in Yunnan, China, Yang Liping never received formal dance training. Instead, she believes her people “learn to dance from the womb.”
“From a young age, we experienced dance through our folk traditions, harvest festivals, and rituals welcoming the sunrise. Music and movement were part of our blood,” she said.
Her training came not from studios but from observing the rhythms of nature. She studied the gallop of horses, the flutter of butterflies, the wind rustling through leaves - each motion became part of her inner choreography.
“The image of the peacock has always existed in the spiritual lives of people in Yunnan and throughout Southeast Asia,” she recalled. “As children, we would hide behind trees by the stream and watch real peacocks, memorizing how they moved.”
In 1971, Yang Liping joined an arts troupe in Xishuangbanna and began performing in remote mountain villages. The years she spent living close to the wild, observing animals in their natural habitat, helped shape her unique dance language.
For a decade, she studied and absorbed the essence of ethnic dances, mimicking the gestures of the animals around her. To her, those capable of embodying the peacock dance possess a deeply beautiful inner world.
“To me, the peacock is a symbol of mystique, purity, and the delicate beauty of the East,” she explained.
After decades of devotion, the "Peacock" has become more than just a dance - it is the central thread in her creative life.
Yang Liping demonstrates key movements from the Peacock dance. Photo: Hoa NguyenPeacock will be staged for three nights, March 6–8, 2026, at Ho Guom Theatre (Hanoi). Photo: Hoa Nguyen
“I’ve choreographed many works, but ‘Peacock’ remains the soul of my artistry. It captures the pure beauty from within,” she said.
Bringing “Peacock” to Hanoi for the first time fills her with happiness. For Yang Liping, dance is a universal language - a nonverbal art form that connects people in powerful, emotional ways.
When asked by a VietNamNet reporter if this might be her final appearance in the “Peacock” tour, she answered: “To me, the stage is only a small space. Since I was a child, I’ve performed under the open sky. Nature is my lifelong stage. After 50 years in dance, I believe that art has no borders and no age.”
Premiering in 2012, the “Peacock” dance drama quickly became a global sensation, acclaimed for its intricate movements, expressive power, and evocative stage design. Every gesture is meticulously crafted, blending music, light, and emotion to create an immersive artistic experience.
By 2025, the performance had surpassed 1,000 shows worldwide. Although the cast has changed over time, Yang Liping herself has performed in nearly every show - making this a personal artistic milestone.
“Peacock” will be staged in Hanoi for three nights, from March 6 to 8, 2026, at the Ho Guom Theatre.
Vietnamnet.vn
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