“Tortoises and hares” dance from Beijing goes viral on TikTok

Tengrinews.kz – A children’s performance titled “The Tortoise and the Hare Race Again” has become an unexpected viral sensation on TikTok. The production, featuring dozens of kids dressed as rabbits and tortoises retelling the classic fable through energetic choreography, has gained millions of views worldwide.

The dance was staged by Beijing’s Mengqi Arts Center under choreographer Cao Lei and won first place at the 19th Beijing Dance Competition this summer. After a repeat performance in late July, videos spread across social media, quickly crossing China’s borders.

On stage, children in floppy-eared rabbit costumes bounce in perfect sync, while tortoises move slowly and persistently, all set to upbeat music that viewers describe as “addictive.”

“I’ve watched this clip twenty times — the tune just won’t leave my head,” one commenter wrote.

Clips of the show have flooded TikTok, with users marveling at how convincingly the children portray animals.

@mua_mua_1 "Rùa và thỏ thi chạy" - Giải Nhất tại Cuộc thi Múa Bắc Kinh năm nay 🏆 Mấy em nhỏ dễ thương xỉu 🩰💃🥰💖 #Dance #Beijing #Ruavatho#thieunhi #Trend #trungquoc ♬ nhạc nền - 𝓑𝓪𝓶𝓫𝓲𝓲𝓮

“The rabbits look like real rabbits,” one user posted.

Others tried to replicate the choreography but admitted the jumps and formations require strength, flexibility and stamina.

@courtneyjmai_

The Rabbit and Turtle Run dance is something else 🤣🤌🏽

♬ nhạc nền - Tròn

Beyond admiration, many viewers saw deeper meaning in the piece.

@thirdculturechinese @Winnie 韵昀 @Tròn ♬ original sound - Yunyun Winnie Gu 顾韵昀

Midway through, stacks of textbooks appear on stage and the soundtrack includes phrases like “I can’t rest” and “I have no time". For some, the rabbits represent children for whom academic success comes easily, while the tortoises symbolize those who rely on persistence and hard work.

“The race continues after the dancers leave the stage. Countless tortoises and hares can never take off their shells or rabbit ears — they are still running,” one user reflected.

The finale adds a dramatic twist: while one tortoise reaches the finish line, many children collapse on the floor, symbolizing burnout and those unable to withstand the race.