[Photo by Wang Biao/for China Daily]

The Mermaid Show is pleasing to the eyes, but it takes years of painstakingly practice. The "sea" water temperature in the tanks is maintained at 29 C throughout the year. But winters can still be uncomfortable. The tank is 4 meters deep, and once in the participants have to hold their breaths for at least 1 minute. "Initially I could hold my breath for only 10 seconds, but after practice I can now hold it for about 1 minute." says Zhao Juan.