In 2006, the Guangdong lion dance, also known as "Xingshi", was in into the first batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

According to the scriptwriter of Awakening Lion, Luo Li, who is a native of Guangzhou, she revised the script for about two years and the rehearsal of the dance drama took about five months.

"We invited professional lion dance masters in Guangzhou to train the dancers. For both the dancers and audiences, the dance drama reminds them of the history and culture of the traditional art form," says Luo, adding that over 40 dancers from the Guangzhou Song and Dance Theater perform in the dance drama.

"Personally, I feel connected to the lion dance because it can be seen in my hometown whenever people celebrate holidays," Luo adds.