Chinese variety art

During the Qin and Han periods, Juedi (角抵) or Baixi (百戲) variety show was popular with the common people.

[1] It consisted of a variety of acts such as conjuring, acrobatics, wrestling, musical performances, dance, martial arts, horsemanship, and juggling.

[2][3] In the Eastern Han dynasty, the scholar Zhang Heng was one of the first to describe the acrobatic theme shows in the royal palaces in his "Ode to the Western Capital" (西京賦).

The event featured shows such as Old Man Huang of the Eastern Sea (東海黃公), the Dancing Fish and Dragon (魚龍蔓衍) and Assembly of Immortals (總會仙倡), and Zheng described swallowing knives and spitting fire, creatures that transformed into another, as well as children who performed acrobatics on high poles.

Troupes have been established in the provinces, autonomous regions, and special municipals with theaters specifically dedicated to the variety arts.

Balancing acts are one type of Chinese variety art.
Chinese street performers seen by Johan Nieuhof in 1655–57
Human Lion balancing on a globe. Each lion suit usually has two performers.