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Polo
Polo, also called "jiju" in ancient times, was most popular in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). All the 16 monarchs from Emperor Zhongzong who took power in the year 705 to Emperor Zhaozong who ascended the throne in 889 were polo enthusiasts. Some of them were even highly skilled players. Many high-ranking officials had luxurious polo fields in their own gardens. Measuring 1,000 paces long and 100 paces wide, the field was sprayed allover with oil to prevent the galloping horses from kicking up dust. There were also many polo lovers among scholar. According to historical records, a polo match...
Military Sports in Ancient Times
In ancient China there was a fairy tale called "Kuafu Running After the Sun." Untrue as it is, the story does reflect people's admiration for great runners. Walking and running are the most fundamental abilities of man in daily life as well as in fighting. In ancient times when the means of transport were extremely simple and crude, people attached great importance to improving their walking and running abilities.
Juedixi, Ancient Chinese Gymnastics
Juedixi, an ancient form of gymnastics, became very popular in the middle of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24). A combination of ancient Chinese culture, art and sports, it corporated dances, music, acrobatics, conjuring and wrestling.
Embryonic Forms of Primitive Sports
Among the multitude of fairy tales told by the ancient Chinese, there were moving stories like those about "King Yi Shooting Down Nine Suns" and "Kua Fu Chasing the Sun". Such fairy tales reflect not only our ancestors' fond dreams but also their confidence and fortitude in developing bodily skills for the purpose of conquering nature.
Dragon Boat Racing
As a traditional activity, dragon boat racing has retained its popularity to this day, especially in regions to the south of the Yangtze River. Legend has it that Qu Yuan (c 340-278 BC), a great poet of the Warring States period, was drowned in the Miluo River in Hunan Province on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month before the local people rushed to the scene by boat in an effort to rescue him. Since then, dragon boat races have been held on that day every year to commemorate Qu Yuan's death.
Dancing
In ancient times dancing was inseparably linked with sports. Even today there are certain similarities between the two.
Shuttlecock Kicking
Shuttlecock kicking,Ti Jian Zi, is another traditional popular folk game. Some records date its origin as far back as the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD). This game prevailed during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), when shops specializing in shuttlecocks business appeared. In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), formal competition of shuttlecock kicking was held. In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), shuttlecock kicking reached its climax in terms of both making technics and the kicking skills.
Sports and Games of Old China
A major aspect of Song Emperor Huizong’s birthday celebrations was a soccer match between royal teams. Two referees would certainly have been warranted on these occasions, as the losing team faced flogging and having their faces smothered in yellow and white powder. Soccer matches were eventually institutionalized and incorporated into festive occasions. They commenced after all in attendance had drunk their sixth cup of wine. Being played in the spirit of performance rather than competition, they were less ferocious than Emperor Huizong’s birthday matches.
Chinese Checkers
Chinese Checkers is a board game that can be played by two to six people. It is a variant of Halma; the objective of the game is to place one's pieces in the corner opposite their starting position of a pitted hexagram by single moves or jumps over other pieces.
Burning Sedan on Stilts
Wanshan Village is located in Qingyang City of northwest China's Henan Province. As a strategically important location with roads extending in all directions, the village was developed as a military outpost in ancient China. The old village consists of five communities named by their locations, among which the Southern Community is the cradle of the so-called "burning sedan on stilts."