China Wuqiao International Circus Festival
Contact: Cangzhou City, Hebei Province
Best Time to Visit: Cangzhou lies on the Bohai Bay in southeastern Hebei, with a typical warm‑temperate semi‑humid continental monsoon climate. Winters are cold, summers hot, four seasons distinct, average annual temperature ~12°C. Autumn is the best time to visit.
Complaint Hotline: 0317-2080122
Transportation: Cangzhou enjoys convenient transportation. The Beijing‑Shanghai and Beijing‑Kowloon railways run through the area, while a dense road network includes National Highways 104, 106, 205 and 307.
Attraction Description
The China Wuqiao International Circus Festival has been successfully held six editions. Known as the Oriental Circus Arena, it ranks alongside the Monte‑Carlo International Circus Festival (Monaco) and the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain (France) as one of the world’s three major circus events. Approved by the State Council, starting from this edition, it has been co‑hosted by the Ministry of Culture and the People’s Government of Hebei Province. Its standardized organization and relentless pursuit of self‑improvement have secured its stable position in the national and international circus community.
Brief Introduction
Named after Wuqiao, the famous “Hometown of Circus” in China, the China Wuqiao International Circus Festival is a grand international circus event.
- Frequency: Held biennially (every two years), in odd‑numbered years.
- Time: Usually the last week of October or the first week of November.
- Venue: Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province, China.
It is China’s longest‑running and largest‑scale international circus festival. Founded in 1987, it has been held six times. With guidance and support from the Ministry of Culture, China Acrobats Association, CCTV and other authorities, it has developed into a world‑famous circus arena. More than 180 acts from over 30 countries have participated中华人民共和国国务院新闻办公室. Its scale, quality and organization meet international standards, promoting artistic exchange and prosperity, earning it the title of the Oriental Circus Arena中华人民共和国国务院新闻办公室. Economic and trade fairs held during the festival have grown alongside its influence, achieving both cultural and economic benefits. Approved by the State Council, the festival has been co‑hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Hebei Provincial Government since the 7th edition.
Origin
Chinese circus has a long history and is a precious cultural heritage. There are many “Hometowns of Circus” in China, such as Liaocheng (Shandong), Yancheng (Jiangsu), Puyang (Henan), Tianmen (Hubei), Guangde (Anhui), Wuqing (Tianjin), and Wuqiao, Suning, Bazhou (Hebei). Among them, Wuqiao is the most renowned for its long history, strong grassroots base and international influence.
According to the Wuqiao County Gazetteer, during festivals: “For three days of lanterns, fireworks and acrobatics, men and women gather, and officials allow night revelry.” In 1958, tomb murals from the Eastern Wei Dynasty (c. 1,500 years ago) in Xiaomachang Village, Wuqiao, depicted acrobatic acts such as handstands, belly balancing, plate spinning and equestrianism. However, Wuqiao circus gained nationwide fame after the Yuan Dynasty. Before that, Henan circus was influential. When the capital moved from Kaifeng (Henan) to Beijing in the Yuan Dynasty, Wuqiao circus flourished, growing into a globally recognized Hometown of Circus.
Located in the southeastern tip of Hebei Province, Wuqiao County covers 583 km² with a population of 270,000 and 449 villages—almost every village has acrobats. Before the founding of New China, Wuqiao sent over 2,000 acrobats nationwide; nearly all major troupes include Wuqiao artists, leading to the saying: “No Wuqiao people, no circus troupe.” Today, acrobats of Wuqiao origin perform in nearly 20 countries. In 1945, during Premier Zhou Enlai’s visit to 14 Western European countries, he met overseas Chinese acrobats of Wuqiao origin everywhere and praised: “Wuqiao truly deserves the title of Hometown of Circus!”
Given its profound international influence and strong grassroots base, Hebei Province decided in 1987 to launch the China Wuqiao International Circus Festival to:
- Promote traditional Chinese culture and international circus exchange.
- Enhance the global profile of Hebei and Wuqiao, boosting opening‑up and comprehensive economic, cultural and social development.
Awards & Judging
- Awards: Golden Lion, Silver Lion and Bronze Lion Awards, selected by the jury. Winners are chosen via secret ballot by jury members, who may propose rule changes before judging. Decisions are final and unappealable.
- Origin of the Golden Lion Trophy: The trophy’s lion design is based on the Cangzhou Iron Lion, also known as Zhenhaihou (Sea‑Suppressing Roar). Cast in 953 AD (Later Zhou Dynasty), it weighs over 40 tons and is China’s largest surviving iron lion. The choice reflects:
- Local identity: The Iron Lion is a symbol of Cangzhou and Hebei.
- Circus tradition: The lion is a classic act in Chinese circus.
- Symbolism: The lion is a Buddhist guardian and a symbol of strength and good fortune.
- Regal status: As the “king of beasts,” it honors excellence.
Festival Emblem
- 1st–3rd Editions: A circular emblem featuring the Iron Lion’s head from Cangzhou’s Zhenhaihou, with the text “China Wuqiao International Circus Festival” below. A hollow triangular arc symbolizes balance of motion and stillness in circus. Designed by Yang Zhijian of the Hebei Tourism Bureau.
- 4th Edition (1993) onward: The emblem was updated to feature the full lion.
Festival Flag
The flag has a green background (symbolizing peace and friendship) with the festival emblem in the center. Over the first six editions, thousands of acrobats from nearly 30 countries and regions have gathered under this flag, contributing to the global development of circus art中华人民共和国国务院新闻办公室.
International Influence
Globally, two major circus events were long established: the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain (Paris, France) and the Monte‑Carlo International Circus Festival (Monaco).
Since 1987, the six editions of the Wuqiao Circus Festival have earned international acclaim中华人民共和国国务院新闻办公室. The name “China Wuqiao” has become its global brand. Leading circus figures have praised its quality:
- Lan Tian, Vice Chairman of China Acrobats Association: “In scale and quality, Wuqiao matches other top international arenas… It deserves to be ranked third in the world.”中华人民共和国国务院新闻办公室
- Zheng Dexing, Vice Chairman of China Acrobats Association: “The acts are world‑class!”中华人民共和国国务院新闻办公室
- Halik, Director of the Kazakhstan State Circus: “Wuqiao ranks at least third globally among circus arenas.”中华人民共和国国务院新闻办公室
The festival has received wide international support, attracting over 160 acts from nearly 30 countries and regions in the first six editions中华人民共和国国务院新闻办公室. Top troupes and jury members from major global circus events have participated. While the first two editions were emerging, the third and fourth saw steady growth, and the fifth and sixth firmly established its status as the Oriental Circus Arena中华人民共和国国务院新闻办公室. By the 4th edition (1993), 18 countries and regions participated, compared to 15 at the 18th Paris Festival and 11 at the 18th Monte‑Carlo Festival, with comparable standards of acts and jury中华人民共和国国务院新闻办公室.
As an international arena, the Wuqiao Circus Festival has established globally recognized standards: fixed time and venue, plus internationally aligned competition and judging rules
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