In the 1980s he received the highest national dance award called Quan Guo Wu Dao Da Sai (Chinese: 全国舞蹈大赛).

A comedic story created by Zhang Jigang revolving around a couple who visit the Yuanxiao Festival and lose each other in crowd.

A prolific period in Zhang's career, in 1992 he was invited to work as Choreographer for the Art Troupe of the PLA's General Political Department.

Aside from receiving awards in Hollywood California, North Korea, Japan and Monaco, Zhang Jigang created a number of multimillion-dollar large-scale productions that subsequently toured America, Australia, Italy and Spain.

The piece features 21 hearing impaired dancers who form remarkable arm and hand positions by standing very squished together in a straight line.

It was first performed internationally at the Kennedy Centre in Washington, D.C. in front of former President of the United States Bill Clinton, senior White House staff and spectators.

It generated rave reviews and was showcased shortly thereafter around the world in countries including Australia, Japan, North Korea, Egypt, Turkey and Italy.

In 2004 it was performed at the Closing Ceremonies for the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens, Greece and Miss World 2004 pageant held in Sanya, China.

The program could be compared to that of the Idol series or Dancelife, with contestants vying to win a coveted prize in ballet, hip-hop, Latin, folk and Chinese classical dance.

[3] Hein Verbruggen, chairman of the IOC Coordination Commission for the XXIX Olympiad, called the ceremony "a grand, unprecedented success.