Generation Z, or Gen Z, refer to the generation of people who have grown up alongside the development of the Internet and digital technology. Today, young people of this generation are holding posts in all walks of life. They are playing significant roles in different sectors, and they are showing young and beautiful vibes in the digital era, which highlights vigorous advancement in technology and the digital economy. On the new journey of Chinese modernization, China's Gen Z women are writing wonderful chapters, by making contributions to the progress of their country. Women of China presents the stories of five Chinese Gen Z women.
In this article, we share the story of Yang Yuni, who has long dedicated herself to the inheritance of Lezuo dance and cultural heritage of Hani ethnic group.
Yang Yuni is an ethnic Hani woman from Honghe, a county in Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, in southwest China's Yunnan Province. She is a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). She has long dedicated herself to the inheritance of a folk dance, known as Lezuo dance.
During this year's CPPCC National Committee session, Yang focused her attention on the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage, and especially on its in-depth integration with cultural tourism.
"On the one hand, efforts should be made to deepen the integration of intangible cultural heritage with cultural tourism, study tours, sports and rural revitalization. By developing more distinctive sightseeing routes, such as the terrace culture experience tour in my hometown, which combine ethnic culture with the improvement of people's physical and mental health, we can advance cultural preservation, increase local incomes, and improve public health, thereby contributing to all-around rural revitalization," Yang explains.
"On the other hand," she continues, "it is essential to further the digitalization of intangible cultural heritage. Short videos and immersive-touring experiences are particularly preferred by young people. We can adopt those measures to better promote our ethnic culture, and to tell well the vivid stories about Hani rice terraces. Meanwhile, we need to improve support policies, to ensure both young and old inheritors and protectors participate actively in the healthy development of intangible cultural heritage."
Yang's interest in folk dances began when she was a little girl. She was influenced by her mother, who worked as a dance teacher in their hometown. In 2015, Yang, then in her first year of college, returned to Honghe during a school vacation. She visited local artists, so she could learn folk songs and dances. Now, as principal of Yuni Culture and Art Inheritance Center, in Honghe, Yang is determined to place Hani culture and art on a wider stage.
Yang believes education plays a key role in the promotion and inheritance of ethnic culture. Working with her center, Yang has introduced educational programs, involving intangible cultural heritage, to primary schools in Honghe. She has also helped organize field tours for children, so they could visit ancient villages and towns, where they were able to experience colorful activities related to ethnic traditions and festivals.
"Many of the students have provided feedback, such as how they felt traditional art was something far from them before, but how they now feel the art is close to their daily lives — and full of fun and charm," Yang explains.
In 2025, Yang volunteered to teach Lezuo dance to 2,000-plus primary school students. She worked with more than 100 young dancers, from various ethnic groups, to form a dance troupe, so the dancers could explore trendy expressions of folk dances from Yunnan. She also participated in cultural exchanges, such as performing dances and introducing embroidering skills in Türkiye and Vietnam.
"We must protect the roots of our traditional culture. At the same time, we must develop in accordance with the times. By utilizing digital techniques, we can revive intangible cultural heritage, and we can promote the folk dances and cultural heritage of our hometown with trendy expressions, creating (spiritual) 'wealth' in the countryside," Yang says.
As this year marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), Yang has set personal goals for the next five years. For example, she will continue focusing on cultural inheritance, the development of rural areas, and the growth of young people, especially in her hometown. She also hopes to build effective platforms for the promotion of communications among various ethnic cultures, and to advance innovative development of intangible cultural heritage techniques.
Moreover, Yang is looking forward to attracting young people — who will contribute their talents to rural revitalization. She believes it will be appealing if young people combine Hani rice terraces and folk art with digital skills.
Young people, especially from the urban areas, can study folk dances and then share the charm of those dances on social-media platforms, Yang suggests. She also encourages young people to develop cultural and creative products that highlight Hani culture and art. She is doing her best to combine Hani culture and art with the development of tourism in her hometown. She continues working hard to set a good example for young people, so they can learn how to make their contributions to the innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture.
Photos and Video from Interviewee
(Women of China English Monthly May 2026)
Editor: Wang Shasha
