Cirque Peking

The National Acrobats of the People's Republic of China performed “Cirque Peking” November 9th at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts. (By Avinoam Idhe)

Show highlights included: jumping and flipping through hoops, astounding balancing acts atop of stacked chairs, and contortionists who were able to twist and turn their limbs in ways that baffled an excited crowd.

The acrobatic troupe was established in 1951 and performed in the White House in 1972 when U.S-China relations were rocky.

This particular act is called "Kicking Bowls from High Unicycles."

An acrobat spins through the air.

Other acts of the 2014 tour were Drums Girls, Grand Hoop Diving and High Chairs.

Acrobatics in China has a very long history, with many of the acts originating from farm labor such as harvesting or crafts such as pottery.

Many of the feats test the acrobats' ability to balance while in motion.