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Like Dragon Dance, the Lion Dance has also a longest history and has been spread most widely in China, which can be found in ancient documents.

In the "Lion Dance", two people act as a lion; one waving the lion head and the other waving the lion body and tail; or one performer acts as a cub. Another person is needed to hold a silk ball to play with the lion. The performance is divided into "Wenshi" (civil) and "Wushi" (martial) types. " Wenshi" depicts the images of a lion, which is docile and funny. It scratches, licks or dozes off. In some areas, the lion player wears a mask. For instance, there are the "Luohan (Arhat) Playing with Lion" in Sichuan and Hunan provinces and the "Laughing Monk Playing with Lion" in Shaanxi Province.

"Wushi" portrays the power of the lion. Besides the usual jumping, falling and tumbling, performers will also show their excellent techniques by climbing upon a high table or by stepping on five wooden stakes. For instance, the "Gaotai (High Stage) Lion Dance" of Sichuan Province has to be performed on seven high tables, which makes the performance highly difficult. In recent years, the "Lion Dance" in Beiing combines the advantages of others to become a new style.