The Encyclopedis Britannica describes acrobatics as "the specialized and ancient art of jumping, tumbling and balancing, often using apparatus such as poles, unicycles, balls, barrels, tightropes, trampolines and flying trapezes" Chinese acrobatics has its long history for over more than2000 years, which was in the period of the Warring States. During the Qin and Han Dynasties (221 B.c.-220 A.D.), artists developed a wide variety of repertoire and acrobatics called 'the show of a high level as a performing art’ by the Western Han Dynasty.

Despite the popularity of Chinese acrobatics in old days, it was never performed in theatres because it was looked down upon by the feudal class. After 1949 guided by the people government’s principle of 'Letting a hundred flowers blossom and weeding through the old to bring forth the new', Chinese acrobatics began developing national arts, and acrobatics gained a new life and has developed into a comprehensive form of stage art.

The ancient Chinese acrobatics stemmed from the people's life and had a close link with their life and productive labor. Instruments of labor like tridents, wicker rings, tables, chairs, jars, plates, and bowls were used in their performances of "Flying Trident", "Balance on Chairs", "Jar Tricks", and "Hoop Diving".

The modern Chinese acrobatics have set up from provinces, municipalities to autonomous regions. The veteran performers have better opportunities to display their skill. It takes years of rigorous training to achieve the excellence demanded by this ancient art form. Children hoping to become acrobats begins their training as young as four or five years old. Specific training with an acrobat troupe may begin by the age of eight. The basics - balancing, tumbling, dancing, flexibility, and strength are taught in the first two years, students spend the next three to five years on perfecting specific acts. Lattermost, they will do their first performances when they are sixteen or seventeen.

The art of Chinese acrobatics combines both physically and spiritually. Each individual acrobat's physical and philosophical strength is attributed to that of the fellow members of his or her troupe in magnificent displays of balancing, juggling, dance, comedy and magic.

Tranditional acrobatics acts includes: Lion Dance, Cycling Feats, Tight-Wire Feats, Traditional-Style Conjuring, Hoop Diving, Wushu (Chinese Traditional Group Gymnastics), Spring-Board Stunts, Meteor Juggling, Gymnastics On Double-Fixed Poles, etc.

Acrobatics plays an important role in cultural exchanges between China and other nations. Chinese acrobatic troupes have toured more than 100 countries and regions throughout the world in the past 35 years. Their terrific performances were warmly welcomed and highly appreciated by the people of various countries.