Acrobats from the Deyang Acrobatic Troupe and the China National Acrobatic Troupe (far left) demonstrate their breathtaking skills. Wang Jing and file photo

It's a good idea to bring some tissues to a Deyang Acrobatic Troupe performance - the breathtaking maneuvers are sure to induce sweaty palms.

The show, called Flying Acrobatics, salutes the rich cultural traditions and history of Sichuan province. The costumes and props follow a jungle theme, and the show opens with tribal kings solemnly marching onstage to bombastic music.

Then the heart-stopping performance begins. From the top of a human pyramid, a performer catches stacks of bowls catapulted from the ground - on his head. Two young performers cavort on the equivalent of two enormous human-sized hamster wheels, one of them blindfolded as the contraption spins. There are also classic acts featuring bicycles, diabolo yo-yos and whirling plates. The moves are executed with superb precision, with a near-constant drone of gasps and applause coming from the audience.

The 60-member group performs twice daily at the Chaoyang Theater at 5:15 pm and 7:25 pm. Be prepared to rethink concepts on gravity and the limits of the human body.

Meanwhile, at the Poly Theater, not far from the Chaoyang Theater, a group of ancient warriors jump out on stage wearing mysterious white robes as they swing their swords fiercely. Then throwing away their weapons, they divide into teams to compete using kungfu tricks. The competition heats up as they throw their gravity-defying partners in the air.

It looks like a scene right out of the latest martial arts film, but it's not. The aerial gymnasium of "air jumping and catching" highlights "Splendid (yi pin yisan jue)", the current sensation of the China National Acrobatic Troupe. Often dubbed as the "Chinese acrobatic dream team", the troupe claims the show is an unremitting pursuit of traditional Chinese culture and top-level acrobatic arts.

But, the more traditional acts of the lavish spectacular fail to surprise audiences familiar with Chinese acrobatics. The frequently showcased acrobatics such as the plate-spinning, air jumping and catching, and the umbrella joggling become tiring after a while as they lack luster.

Still, other aspects of the show are impressive. The folksy stage dcor and well-handled lighting and sound effects as well as the varying backdrops add intrigue to the performances.

One performance in particular outshines the other numbers. The Joyful Songs and Tunes act showcases the rituals of fun and errenzhuan (Manchurian folk dance) art of Northeastern China. Singing folk tunes and waving a handkerchief, a clown dances on stage. He pulls out a girl dressed as a goddess of spring in a flower-dotted outfit while spinning at least four plates in one hand.

Dozens of plate-spinning girls then appear to dance and chat to the folk ballads. One by one, they work themselves into a marvelous accordion-like structure.

The show winds down with a riveting hoop-jumping number. The acrobatic performers effortlessly tumble through a variety of hoops stacked at different heights - including one at 3.1 meters high.

Poly Theater: 7:30 pm daily except Monday, until Aug 31

Address: Dongsi Shitiao, Dongcheng district

Tel: 6506-5343

Chaoyang Theater: 5:15 pm, 7:15 pm, daily,

Address: No 36 Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang district