The Phoenix dance at the 2025 Spring Festival Gala featured hundreds of dancers soaring across the stage in a display of creativity and artistry. Huang Yichang goes behind the scenes to show how this awe-inspiring performance came to life.
Dancers "Happy new year!"
Guest where I am?
HUANG YICHANG Wuhan "I'm standing inside the feathers of a giant phoenix! Look at it, look at the stunning scene. Hundred of dancers have formed this giant, majestic phoenix."
Given the scale, even taking a few steps back doesn't reveal the bird's full shape.
But during the gala, aerial shots bring it to life in vivid detail.
The top is the head of this mythical bird. I am currently at the tail of it.
The most eye-catching dancer, at the phoenix's head, is Meng Qingyang, whose fame soared after her performance at the 2021 Spring Festival Gala.
MENG QINGYANG Lead Dancer "The Phoenix Dance isn't just a dance, it's a symbol, a metaphor. When I stood beneath the Yellow Crane Tower, the feeling came to me naturally. It was about being immersed in that moment, at that height, overlooking half of Wuhan's nightscape. In that instant, a fiery energy effortlessly rose within me."
The director said, transforming this ambitious concept into reality require collective efforts of hundreds.
CAI WEIMAN Dance Director, Wuhan Spring Festival Gala Sub-venue "It took countless trials and adjustments. Each dancer's position, the direction of the feathers, whether they were standing or crouching, and even the exact angles for the best visual effect."
The feathers looks light when carried by the dancers, but in reality...
Reporter: "Wow, this is really heavy! Does it make your arms feel sore?"
Dancer: "Of course ! It's so heavy that it feels impossible to hold up."
"You can see their bodies are covered in heat packs. They only wear this one outfit to highlight their sleek and graceful lines. Our recording sessions last through the entire night.
In Chinese culture, the phoenix symbolizes hope, renewal, and strength, aligning perfectly with the theme in Wuhan: "The Heroic City and Its People."
CAI WEIMAN Dance Director, Wuhan Spring Festival Gala Sub-venue "Every movement of every feather, every attempt to take off, is building toward that final, powerful flight into the sky. This strength relies on every single feather coming together. It reflects the people of Wuhan – the ordinary individuals in every role and position."
As the music builds, the phoenix finally takes flight, with every seemingly modest and intricate feather playing a crucial role.
Huang Yichang, CGTN, Wuhan, Hubei Province.