ABSTRACT
Apart from performing in the imperial palace, Gong Sun went out on tour, giving shows across the country. She had several special programs such as: “ Linli qu” (Melody of Neighbors), “ Pei jiangjun” (General Pei), “ Mantang shi” (All-around Hall), and “ Xihe jianqi huntou” (Fencing Dance in Xihe). By mixing fencing and Huntou dancing together, she pioneered a new style of dance that incorporated swaying, buoyancy, and graceful pos tures. In 717 a .d . she gave a performance, regarded as her finest, in Yancheng, Hunan province. At the time of her performance, people from different regions all gathered in Yancheng to see and appreciate this famous lady. Gong Sun, in her martial attire, danced by waving two swords in her hands. The two shining swords were moving like shooting stars across the sky. The au dience was dazzled by her. The great poet Du Fu himself was there and he described the performance on the spot:
