Rhythm is very prominent in Chinese classical dance and has an inseparable connection with Chinese music. Compared with Western music which has more regular uniform tones, Chinese music is heavier in pulse-like rhythm, generally expressed as flexible combination of rhythm and the characteristics of points and lines. Reflected in the rhythm, mostly like point (stretch - in time), or cut points (in time - stretch), or two stretch the middle of rush, or two catch in the middle stretch, or the tight playing then slow, or slow to tight playing and so on.  Therefore, the formation of the internal rhythm of movement, such as soft vs. tough, fast move vs. sudden freeze, slow vs. rush,  put vs. collect,  breath in and out, cadence, combined points and lines, etc., results in the dynamic law of Chinese music’s particular characteristics and sense of rhythms.
 
Artistic Elements of Chinese Dances 
Chinese dance originated from people’s life. It also stays very close to daily life. It combines entertainment with performing art. It is one piece of great treasure of the Chinese history and culture.
 
China is a geographically wide-spread country. The uniqueness of Mother Nature in the living environment, the religious and the history of each ethnic group has cultivated their specific culture. In turn, their unique culture has shown significant impact on their different forms of art, including their dances.  We could almost say their dances are the showcases of each ethnic group. Different costumes, different props, and different expression of feelings are apparent in their dances. Different instruments and different languages are clear as well. All these features make Chinese dance very colorful and entertaining. However, they also make the dance techniques very delicate and challenging. Thus, teaching Chinese dance and dancer training is a very specialized area because dancers are not only trained in body movements, dancing techniques, but also need to be trained to understand the different cultural backgrounds and stories behind each dance. Dancers also need to tune to different style of music, some red hot, some very expressive and emotional.
 
For example, in Han ethnic dance, there is beautiful choreography combined with some interesting props that come from people’s daily life, such as handkerchiefs, hats, umbrellas, chopsticks and plates. The step work sometimes requires power and firmness, while at other times require elegance. On top of that, the dancers always show special techniques using their props, most of the times are very acrobatic such as continuously spinning of the handkerchiefs or sticks, balancing hats, plates, or umbrellas using their hands or heads while they dance. The styles are significantly different from one region to another. Dance in North Eastern China is very muscular, the energetic red ribbon and drum dance is found in Shaanxi Province (Central China), the feminine fan dance is in Southern China, and the very festive lantern dance is in Yunnan (South Eastern China). This list can go on and be endless.  
 
If we expand to different ethnic groups, the Chinese dances become more splendorous. In the Tibetan dance, male dancers dance with special ox tail costumes that are decorated with jingling bells. Female dancers hold special-made ox skin drums.  The bells and the drums create strong rhythm to guide the dancers’ footsteps. In Mongolian dance, dancers shake their shoulders and arms vigorously by following the music they create themselves using chopsticks hitting on different parts of their costume. The Uyghur style dance shows very elegant movement of the eyes, hands and neck. The Korean dance in North Eastern China features in dancers carrying the hourglass shaped drums in front of their body. By hitting the sticks on different parts of the drums, the dancers use their body to create very musical movements at the same time, sometimes slow, others fast; sometimes joyful, others sad. 
 
In conclusion, Chinese classical dance has formed its own system, which has a strong national identity, emphasizing its nation's aesthetic character and aesthetic norms, with its own way of artistic expression.  It is a dance system that can be replaced by no other.