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It is inevitable that with such a long history China should have developed several unique and traditional sports and pastimes. While some are practiced widely by the Han majority as well as the minority groups who make up these groups and reflect their own cultures. As the country is so large and the various minorities are separated by vast distances it is not surprising that they have their own special ways in which to express their vigor and enthusiasm.

Almost all the traditional sports were derived from productive activity. The Mongolians, Tibetans and Kazaks inhabit vast natural grasslands and horsemanship is vital to their existence. Consequently their gift for riding and shooting has given rise to their forms of sport. The people who live in agricultural communities or who rely on hunting for their livelihood are good at climbing, wrestling, jumping, shooting and so on.

Many of these activities are accompanied by singing, dancing, and instrumental performances that are art forms in their own right. They are mostly held as part of the festivals like Spring Festival and other days of significance. The Bamboo Pole Dance of the Li ethnic group is an example. The participants squat or kneel in pairs opposite each other and hold the end of a bamboo poles in each hand. The couples bring the poles together and apart in time with the rhythm of musical accompaniment. Graceful dancers perform between the moving poles, ensuring that they maintain a rhythm that is in time with the poles so as to avoid being trapped between them. This is a very skillful and entertaining sight.

Aerial : This will involve the use of swings, ropes and the springboard, etc.
Equestrian: These include horse racing, polo and other events to test riding skills.
Aquatic: These encompass swimming, diving and boating events such as the famous dragon boat races.
Land Based: Martial arts, wrestling in a variety of forms, archery, football and trials of strength such as tug-of-war.

To maintain and encourage the development of these colorful sports, provincial and even national meetings have been held. China's National Games of Minority Nationality's Traditional Sports is one example and is now held every four years. The seventh of these very successful meetings was held in 2003.