Facts About Shen Yun

Shen Yun cannot perform in China because the Chinese government does not permit it.

A defining part of Shen Yun’s work is the revival of China’s traditional spiritual heritage. The company also presents some dances depicting the persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners in contemporary China. Falun Dafa has been banned and subjected to a government crackdown in China since July 1999.

Shen Yun has said it would welcome the opportunity to perform in China if it were free to present its art without censorship.

Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is a spiritual practice that combines meditation exercises with teachings centered on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.

Many Shen Yun artists practice Falun Dafa. They describe the practice as a source of personal discipline, spiritual inspiration, and a connection to the traditional Chinese idea that artistic excellence and moral cultivation are closely related.

Falun Gong was banned by the Chinese government in 1999 and has since been the target of a sustained campaign of repression.

Shen Yun is a performing arts company, not a political campaign. Most of its program draws from traditional Chinese history, classical literature, legends, spiritual traditions, and ethnic culture.

Some dances also portray experiences from contemporary China, including the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. Because these stories address present-day human rights and religious freedom, some people may describe them as political. Shen Yun presents them as stories of faith, courage, compassion, and freedom of belief—and as part of the experience of its artists and their families.

For many Shen Yun artists, the persecution of Falun Gong is not an abstract issue. Some artists or their families have experienced religious repression in China.

Shen Yun includes selected contemporary stories because the company believes that art can portray not only ancient legends and beauty, but also courage in the face of injustice. These pieces form only part of a broader program spanning thousands of years of Chinese civilization.

Yes. Shen Yun’s core professional performers are adults, while selected highly qualified students may participate through educational study-on-tour programs.

Beginning serious training at a young age is common in disciplines that require many years to master, including ballet, classical music, gymnastics, and classical Chinese dance. Participating students continue their academic studies while developing professional-level artistic experience.

Shen Yun provides performers with access to medical evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation, and specialist care when needed. During tours, the company also arranges major travel, lodging, and meal expenses for its touring personnel.

Performing at a professional level places significant physical demands on dancers, and injuries can occur. The company’s responsibility is to ensure that artists can obtain appropriate care and recovery support.

Shen Yun’s professional staff are adults, and many live with their families outside the campus and commute to work.

Students at the affiliated Fei Tian schools are subject to school technology policies. Those policies have included restrictions on smartphones and social media on campus while providing other means for students to call, text, access computers, complete schoolwork, and communicate with family and friends.

Several media outlets have published critical reports about Shen Yun, including allegations concerning working conditions, compensation, religious beliefs, and the experiences of former performers. Shen Yun disputes significant aspects of these reports.

We believe readers should be able to distinguish among allegations, verified facts, government findings, and court rulings. Where an allegation has been examined by an official agency or court, this page links to the underlying document whenever possible. Where a matter remains disputed or is the subject of ongoing litigation, we identify it as such rather than presenting an unresolved allegation as an established fact.

There is documented evidence of Chinese government-directed efforts targeting Falun Gong practitioners and an entity connected with Shen Yun in the United States.

In 2024, two individuals pleaded guilty in the United States to acting as unregistered agents of the government of the People’s Republic of China and to bribery in connection with a scheme intended to manipulate the IRS whistleblower process and strip the tax-exempt status of an entity connected with Shen Yun.

Shen Yun has also reported incidents including pressure on theaters, threats, vandalism, and attempts to disrupt performances.