The Nuo dance originates from the Punan town in Xiangcheng district, Zhangzhou city, Fujian province, with a history spanning over a thousand years, dating back to the late Tang Dynasty (618-907) according to folklore. It has been recognized as an extended national intangible cultural heritage representative item in the traditional dance category.

Initially, Nuo dance was a local ritual for welcoming gods, dispelling evil spirits, and evolved to include elements of blessing, offering gratitude to deities, transitioning from a religious ceremony to a traditional folk activity deeply integrated into people's daily lives. During festivals, major celebrations, and religious ceremonies, Nuo dance performances are on the stage.

The Nuo dance features two figures: a county official and a young scholar. These figures are constructed using bamboo strips woven into drum-shaped baskets, adorned with elaborate official attire featuring intricate patterns. During performances, the performers enter the figures, carry them on their shoulders, walk to the rhythm of accompanying drums, and execute corresponding dance moves. Additionally, a doll wearing a big head hood bounces between them, and both figures perform exaggerated and humorous moves in response to the accompanying music to entertain the audience.

The Nuo dance tradition in Yilan, Taiwan, shares similarities in appearance, construction, performance style, and symbolic meaning with Punan Nuo dance, indicating a lineage between the two sides. While different from Nuo dances in Yunnan, Guizhou, Jiangxi, and other regions, the Punan Nuo dance shares common performance forms and symbolic meanings. Scholars in the Chinese mainland and Taiwan suggest it is an integral part of Nuo culture and recognize its significance in studying Chinese Nuo culture and the historical connections between the folk beliefs of Fujian and Taiwan.