A total of 20,000 people take part in a line dancing challenge in Datong city in North China's Shanxi province on Oct 9, setting a world record for the largest line dancing performance. [Photo/sxrb.com]

A total of 20,000 people participated in a line dancing challenge in Datong city in North China's Shanxi province on Oct 9, setting a world record for the largest line dance.

Following 10 rehearsals, the 20,000 participants from Shanxi, Shandong and Henan provinces and cities including Beijing and Tianjin, performed at a square in the ancient city of Datong. The dance challenge lasted five minutes with participants lining up in rows and performing synchronized routines.

Representatives from the World Record Certification Agency were present on site and certified the event as the largest line dance ever performed.

After originating in the United States in the 1970s, line dancing was introduced to China in the early 2000s. It has been adapted by Chinese dancers and has since become a leisure activity for increasing numbers of people.