The Chinese folk dance has the following characteristics:

1.      Singing while dancing

The Chinese folk dance has a tradition of singing while dancing. Dances such as Yangko, Caicha (Picking Tea Leaves) of the Han people, Mangshi of the Manchu ethnic minority, Maixilaipu of the Uygurs, Xuanzi of the Tibet people are all examples of dancing while singing.

2.      Dancing with stage props

Stage props include handkerchiefs, fans, silk, hats, masks, waist drums, waist bells, stilt, and other properties like umbrella, lamp, knife, sword, stick and so on.

3.      Brilliant image and vivid plots

Most of the Chinese folk dances are based on stories. The figures in the folk dances are all very vivid.

4.      Harmony of entertainment and performance

Another distinctive feature of the Chinese folk dance is that the performer is entertaining himself while dancing. He is a spectator as well as an actor. Folk dancers dance for pleasure.