OTTUMWA — This attraction has been called “incredible,” “breathtaking,” “stunning” and “quite unbelievable,” to quote just a few of the critics.

The Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats have taken the world by storm and continue to do so on this, their 30th North American Theatre Tour.

The Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats will perform at 8 p.m. Oct. 31 and 3 p.m. Nov. 1 at Bridge View Center.

The troupe offers more than a glimpse into the fascinating Orient. It consists of sensational Chinese acrobatics, balancing feats, martial arts displays and more. It is a show for all ages. The grace and precision of the acrobats are the triumph of years of dedicated training and discipline, but their art has been formed by centuries of tradition. Chinese acrobatics are, in fact, more than just a series of stunts. Most of the acts clearly demonstrate the achievement of perfection through finding harmony between mind and body — an ancient concept in the Orient.

The group has performed throughout South America, Central America, Southeast Asia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Monte Carlo, Canada, New Zealand, Israel, Canada and the United States.

In the early days, they burst upon the American stage, appearing with celebrities such as Liberace while playing casinos in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe and Reno, Nev.

They have appeared on many TV specials, the Family Channel’s “Home & Family Show;” and CNN. They have met many celebrities and dignitaries including former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Roslyn. They performed at the Los Angeles County Fair in 2007 and 2008 and at special and private events for a variety of clients and venues such as the USA Swim Team at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in California. They play at a variety of casinos, including the Belterra Resort and Casino in Indiana.

Training to become a member of the touring company begins at an early age. It is a family affair as the children who watch their parents contort, leap and sail through the air obviously take it for granted that they will, in time, do the same.

Becoming an accomplished Chinese Acrobat offers the performer a certain special status in China, equivalent to that of an American opera star and allows them the opportunity to travel around the world. Formal lessons and training begin at the age of 5 or 6. There are three schools for the arts in China; The first dealing with dance, the second with Chinese opera and the third with acrobatics where students spend four hours each day going through their paces. Second nature it is to the Hai Family from China, whose expertise directing and leading The Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats for almost 30 years has met with success and standing ovations across North America and around the world. These directing skills combined with production values from the show’s producers, IAI Presentations, Inc. creates a thrilling theatrical experience for the audience.