A game of cave basketball unfolds in Tongren's Yanhe Tujia autonomous county. CHINA DAILY

The people from the Dong ethnic group had prepared a bamboo "dance" that serves as a fusion of tradition and tourism: a signature experience to welcome global visitors with open arms. The square erupted in cheers as we carefully hopped and leaped over the bamboo sticks moving on the ground.

Matching the rhythmic energy of our generous hosts, our tour group enthusiastically joined in traditional activities, and soon social lines and cultural divides became blurred as villagers, stage performers, and visitors joined hands to dance around a crackling bonfire.

The excitement continued as the tour bus wound through the mountains and pulled up to a basketball court set in a cave in Yanhe Tujia autonomous county for a game that would certainly test our skills.