Swinging, called Qiu Qian in Chinese, first originated in the northern part of China by the minority groups, and spread into Central China during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC). In the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD), swinging as a recreational activity was very popular, and became a designated program on the Qingming Festival (Tomb-Sweeping Day) or the Duanwu Festival (Dragon Boat Festival). Originally called Qian Qiu, or thousand autumns, during the Wudi reign in the Han Dynasty, the swing's name was derived from a formulaic greeting to the royal family on birthdays; later, the words were transposed to become Qiu Qian, a term still in use today.        

Swinging had become a popular performing art by the Song dynasty (960-1279), when professional acrobats performed daring feats called swinging over water from swings installed on the decks of two separate pleasure boats. Music played as one acrobat climbed up and down a tall pole affixed to the stern of one boat while another acrobat performed tricks on a swing before both finally somersaulted into the water.

Swinging became a formal competition of the National Sports Meeting of Minority Groups in February, 1986. Nowadays, it has been a common plaything for children.