In August 1991, the Chinese Acrobats Association decided to establish the Variety Show Award, the highest award for artists who have made important contributions that have helped Chinese acrobatics move onto the world stage. The name of the award was derived from the fact that acrobatic performances were popularly known as variety shows during the golden ages of the Han and Tang periods.

Presentation ceremonies for the First Variety Show Award were held on September 12, 1992, during the Wuhan International Acrobatic Festival. Nine outstanding Chinese acrobatic artists nationwide were selected as the highest award winners following repeated deliberations. Seven famous acrobats were selected as winners of the Second Variety Show Award in April 1995. In addition, Stick Ashim, a veteran acrobat from the Uygur ethnic group, and two colleagues were presented the award upon the recommendation of the appraisal committee.

Fifteen of l9 winners of the Variety Show Award were first-class national artists. The list included Xia Juhua, Sun Tai, Zhou Yunpeng, Wang Junwu, Jin Yeqing, Pan Sumei, Deng Baojin, Zhang Yingiie, Ning Gengiu, He Tianchong, Chen Liben, Guo Qingli, Zhao Fengqi, Cheng Haibao and Stick Ashim. The aforementioned artists served as a link between the past and future, and made great contributions to blazing new trails in the art and training young Chinese artists. The remaining four -- Wang Feng, Lan Tian, Aliang and Wang Songsheng -- led acrobatic troupes for long periods and contributed a lot to research on acrobatics, choreography and organizational work.