BEIJING, Sept. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A Report from China Today:
Traditional Dances of Ordos
“Cameroon and China lie thousands of miles apart, but the moment the morin khuur strings begin to play, all that distance dissolves in their vibration,” said François Tchiegue, an ambassador for China-Africa cultural exchange, in Ordos, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, on September 5.
François Tchiegue made the remarks while taking part in the “Warm City • Together with the World” 2026 Ordos International Cultural Visit Program. What struck him most was the 2026 Ordos Cultural and Creative Industry Brand Promotion Week, a flagship local event showcasing the city’s cultural and creative sector.
He said he was deeply impressed by the morin khuur performance by artists from the Ulan Muqir troupe of Wushen Banner. “Within the dancing notes live the vast grasslands, the crisp clatter of horse hooves, and even the subtle aroma of milk tea and wild grass — the music holds the very essence of the prairie.”
Lawrence Wang, an American international student, was equally captivated. He kept his phone raised the entire time, unwilling to miss a single moment. When khoomei (Mongolian throat singing) resonated like a deep, earthy chant, he described it as “the most enchanting sound in the world.” During the intermission, he shared the clips with his parents back in the US — and in that instant, the breeze of the grasslands seemed to drift all the way across the ocean.
Margot Chevestrier, a French expert on the visiting delegation, said she was touched by the unfiltered joy on the dancers’ faces. “Everyone was dancing with all their energy and laughing freely. That kind of vitality is incredibly contagious.” Beyond superb craftsmanship, she saw in the dance the innate forthrightness, sincerity and wholehearted warmth that define the people of Inner Mongolia.
Sofia Feoktistova, a Russian international student, discovered another layer of delight in the performances. “Our people are also known for song and dance, but the dance performance New Era completely reshaped my understanding of Mongolian dance,” she noted. The innovative choreography has infused traditional steps with contemporary flair, and the vibrant spirit of the performers left her with a lasting impression of Ordos as a place both steeped in history and brimming with youthful energy.
Throughout the week-long event, international guests experienced folk performing arts, digital cultural creativity and local specialty products. These immersive experiences are forging bridges of mutual understanding, giving visitors from afar a vivid, firsthand glimpse of Ordos’ dynamic cultural identity.