The Dai people are one of main ethnic groups living in Ruili for generations as well as the most populous ethnic minority there. They are mainly distributed in three townships alongside the Ruili River, namely, Jiexiang, Nongdao and Mongmao. Majority of Dai people in Ruili is indigenous, and some of them are immigrants from other places. Due to regional differences, the Dai people in this area are divided into three branches: Daile, Daimao and Daide. The Dai people in Ruili area have a long history and well-developed culture. At present, there are precious classics written in the language of Dai people, such as Pattra-leaf Scripture, Heimeng Gumeng and Ebing and Sangluo. Their calendar, opera and medicine are also well-renowned. The Dai people in Ruili are good singers and dancers despite gender and age. The famous dance performances that are still popular today include Peacock Dance, Elephant-Foot Drum Dance, and Gayang, a large-scale folk group dance which can be called classy. There continues to emerge a host of talented people in Peacock Dance, including Mao Xiang, Yue Xiang, Wang La, among others, who have been hailed as national folk dancers for their performance of Peacock Dance.