Nation's best acrobats to compete in Penglai

The organizers of the 10th China Acrobatics Golden Chrysanthemum Awards answer questions during a press conference in Beijing on Sept 4. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's top acrobats are set to roll into Penglai in East China's Shandong province for the 10th China Acrobatics Golden Chrysanthemum Awards from Sept 16 to Sept 21.

This is the first time that a county-level city has hosted the prestigious competition, which is widely acknowledged as the highest honor in Chinese acrobatics. It is sponsored by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the China Acrobats Association.

The best acrobatics troupes across the country will stage 30 amazing performances in a bid to win the fabled Golden Chrysanthemum, ranging from diabolo tossing, unicycle bowl balancing to high-wire walking and juggling.

The host city has made extensive preparations to ensure the contest goes off without a hitch, renovating the main competition venue and running a weeks-long training course for all the volunteers serving at the event.

The contestants at the Euro Park International Circus Theatre will be illuminated by 20 sets of the most advanced programmable lights in China, according to Wang Aijun, the theater's assistant manager.

Staff members are busy adjusting and testing the lights and sound system during rehearsals.

Acrobats balance bowls on their heads and feet during a rehearsal in Penglai's Euro Park International Circus Theatre. [Photo/yantai.iqilu.com]

The contest's organizers have also recruited 54 volunteers to help with the running of the event. They are undertaking an etiquette training course to prepare them for their duties, which has lasted for more than 15 days.

Volunteers dressed in qipao, a traditional Chinese dress, take part in an etiquette training session in Penglai, East China's Shandong province. [Photo/yantai.iqilu.com]