Diabolo Spinning is a traditional Chinese sport. During festivals, people vie with one another in playing diabolo to express their jubilation. It is imbued with a strong national flavor. The performer spins the diabolo rapidly, twirling it round their body, throwing it up or passing it onto another player with grace and dexterity. In the course of spinning the diabolo, the players make postures. Accompanied by Chinese national orchestral music, together with the roaring sound of the diabolo, an atmosphere of warmth and festivity is brought out.

Diabolo is a barbell-shaped hollow toy that is manipulated on a string tied to two sticks, which are held in the hands. The diabolo spins as it is worked from side to side, and it can be flung into the air and retrieved again while still spinning. When the diabolo is spun fast enough, it emits a humming sound. Producing and maintaining the spinning and humming gives the player a pleasurable and satisfying "rush" of excitement.

In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Diabolo Spinning became one of the most favorite acrobatics programs. During this period, performers added many new stunts and highly difficult skills to this program. During the development, the looks of diabolos also changed and some performers even use tea cup lids, small vases and so on as substitutes. During the Republic of China (1912-1949), Tianjin folk artist Tian Shuangliang even used wine containing gourds to play diabolo.

The beginner first learns to produce the humming while spinning, and then slowly advances to the highly elaborate and varied tricks that can be done. Practicing manipulation of the diabolo teaches physical and spiritual discipline, and can help temper one's personality. Diabolo is a game that can be enjoyed by beginners to advanced players, from a very young to a very old age. Its adaptability and broad appeal have made it extremely popular over the millennia, up to the present day.