Shihjia Village is well known for its superb lion dances and is actually nicknamed "Hsi Shihjia" (lion dance village) as is said to be the place the dance originated. Since then the lion dance has become a dateless and colorful part of its local culture.

The villages local religious center, Guangji Temple, also plays a very important role in the lion dance culture. The temple is more than 250-year old and is deemed have had the first lion dances performed in its courtyard. Guangji Temple has been the religious center for the local residents since it was built and the early days, the lion dance was performed its square as a form of entertainment. Therefore, whenever a festive event took place, the locals would gather to do the lion dance and parade the streets in a celebratory fashion.

In order for people to gain a deeper appreciation for the lion dance, it has been passed down from generation to generation. This year the lion dance will be taken to other cities as to participate in important cultural exchanges. Kaohsiung City Government's Bureau of Cultural Affairs also hosts an annual "Lion Dance Festival". It has been running for three year and so far it has been a very successful event. During the Mayor's speech at the "High Stake Lion King Championship", Mayor Chu Chen voiced her praise and admiration for the lion dance competitors. She went on to iterate the importance of holding such traditional arts festival in Kaohsiung. This festival and the lion dance are deeply symbolic and cherished by the local people.

This year, the Bureau of Cultural Affairs invited lion dance groups from all over Taiwan to come and participate in two special lion dance competitions. These competitions included "The Lion King Championship" and "The Creative Lion Dance". The lion dance is an intricate dance with performers leaping off tall pillars, performing breathe-taking moves and skillfully projecting the lion's various emotions. Emotions include anger, joy, calmness, startled and in credulousness. All the participants performed well in hopes of winning the championship. This year, "The Lion Dance Festival" and the "High Stake Lion King Championship", were held at Shihjia Junior High School on October 19th, 2008. Luan-Guang and Lion Dance War Drum Corps were the winners of this year's "The Lion Dance Festival".

The Bureau of Cultural Affairs invited eight of the best lion dance troupes, from all over the country, to participate in the festival and the two competitions. The "Creative Lion Dance" was judged on the troupes innovative additions and skillful creativity that was added to the lion dance routine. The entries were not limited to only dragon and lion dancers, and from this competition a new style known as the flat ground lion dance emerged.

One particularly special addition to this years "Lion Dance Festival" (with the support of the Bureau of Cultural Affairs) were workshops to teach the lion dance to other communities and schools in the area. Professional lion dance teachers and costume artists came from all over Taiwan to teach the routines and costume-making. Residents from the Mingyi and Vienna DC communities participated in the workshops. Ages ranged from 7 to 80 and all participants received a greater insight into this traditional culture. Workshops included sewing the lion's head onto the body, learning moves and expressions and finally performing the dance in its entirety, in the costume they had helped to construct. Some of the participants even sighed up for the "Creative Lion Dance" competition and won over the audience and judges with their outstanding performances.

This festival was not only appreciated by the residents of Kaohsiung, tourists from all over the country came to witness this special cultural event. Proof that Kaohsiung has also evolved from an industrial city to a beautiful city of culture and tourism.