The Most Popular Chinese Performances

Chinese performing arts, deeply rooted in religious beliefs and customs dating back to 1000 BCE, are a vital part of China’s cultural heritage. These performances integrate ancient traditions with artistic expression, reflecting the wisdom and innovation of Chinese culture. Here are some of the most popular and iconic Chinese performances:

1. Peking Opera (京剧, Jīngjù)

Overview: Peking Opera is a renowned traditional Chinese theater form that combines music, vocal performance, mime, dance, and acrobatics. It originated in the late 18th century and became fully developed by the mid-19th century.

Beijing Opera or Peking Opera pinyin: Jīngjù  is regarded as the national opera in China for it has a long history and a complete system of stage performance, and it also quintessence of Chinese culture in Chinese minds. It developed from Kunqu opera, Anhui opera and Han opera. Beijng opera is also regarded as the top fifth operas in china.

Beijing opera has been declared World Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization on May 18th, 2001 in Paris.

Features:

• Costumes and Makeup: Elaborate and colorful costumes and facial makeup signify the roles and characteristics of characters.
• Vocal Style: A distinctive singing style that includes various tones and pitches.
• Movement and Gestures: Stylized movements and gestures convey meaning and emotion.

2. Kunqu Opera (昆曲, Kūnqǔ)

Overview: Kunqu Opera, one of the oldest forms of Chinese opera, dates back to the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). It is known for its elegant and lyrical performance style. Kunqu Opera first appeared in late Yuan Dynasty (1271A .D. -1368A .D.) some 600 years ago in the lower reaches of Yangtze River. It was one of the earliest genres of drama in China and named for its birthplace, Kunshan, near the city of Suzhou in today’s Jiangsu Province. The opera reached its heyday during the reign of emperor Qinglong in Qing Dynasty. Thanks to extensive exploration and recreation by its performers, it gradually developed into today’s Kunqu. Besides, it became one of the three components of Peking opera. Kunqu opera has been declared World Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization on May 18th, 2001 in Paris.

Features:

• Music: Uses traditional Chinese instruments like the dizi (flute) and guqin (zither).
• Literary Quality: Scripts are often based on classical Chinese literature and poetry.
• Choreography: Smooth and graceful movements.

3. Sichuan Opera (川剧, Chuānjù)

Overview: Sichuan Opera is a popular regional form of Chinese opera from Sichuan province, known for its unique performance elements. It originated in the Tang dynasty when it was called”chuanxi” at that time. In the reign of Tangxianzong in 806, there was a corrupted governor in Sichuan province named Liu Pi. The Chuanxi masters had secretly created a play about Liu to show his ruthlessness and cried out for people to conduct a riot against his rule. Yet it wasn’t put on the stage publicly until later Liu had committed a bold treason. Not long after it had been released to public, it achieved a huge success and even became one of the most classic plays in Sichuanese opera’s history.

Features:

• Face-Changing (变脸, Biàn Liǎn): Performers change masks rapidly with a flick of the head or hand.
• Fire-Breathing: A dramatic stunt where performers breathe fire.
• Humorous and Lively: Often incorporates humor and lively performances.

4. Traditional Chinese Folk Dance

Types:

• Dragon Dance (舞龙, Wǔ Lóng): Performed during Chinese New Year and other celebrations, featuring dancers manipulating a long, flexible dragon figure.
• Lion Dance (舞狮, Wǔ Shī): Involves performers mimicking a lion’s movements in a costume, popular during festivities.
• Yangge Dance (秧歌, Yānggē): A popular rural folk dance during festivals, characterized by vibrant costumes and rhythmic movements.

5. Chinese Shadow Puppetry (皮影戏, Píyǐngxì)

Overview: Shadow puppetry is an ancient form of storytelling that uses shadow puppets made of translucent leather or paper, manipulated against a lit backdrop. Shadow play is taken as an earliest ancestor of modern cinema; the unique artistic value makes it be reserved from the ancient time.
Performers respectively hold sticks and strings to control the characters while singing the libretto to tell the story behind the screen. The character, or we can say silhouette, is made of hard paper, buffalo and donkey hide. The silhouette is projected on a white screen as the actor or actress in this play. Then, the vivid shadow play is presented to audiences.

Features:

• Intricate Puppets: Beautifully crafted and painted puppets.
• Storytelling: Narratives often based on folklore, history, and mythology.
• Music and Narration: Accompanied by traditional music and a narrator.

6. Crosstalk (相声, Xiàngsheng)

Overview: Crosstalk is a traditional form of Chinese comedic dialogue, akin to a stand-up comedy duo.

Features:

• Humor and Wit: Dialogues filled with puns, wordplay, and humorous banter.
• Cultural References: Often includes satire and social commentary.

7. Nuo Opera (傩戏, Nuóxì)

Overview: Nuo Opera is a traditional folk religious performance that dates back over a thousand years. It is performed during festivals to expel evil spirits and bring good fortune.

Features:

• Masks: Performers wear wooden masks representing various gods and spirits.
• Ritualistic: Combines dance, music, and theatrical performance with ritualistic elements.

8. Chinese Acrobatics (杂技, Zájì)

Overview: Chinese acrobatics is a traditional performance art that emphasizes physical feats of balance, agility, and coordination. Acrobatics, Chinese name is zaji, za means variety, ji means art and skill. Acrobatics is the performance of extraordinary feats of balance, agility and motor coordination. Modern acrobatics mainly depends on performer’s soft body to complete a series of highly difficult movement. It can be found in many of the performing arts and many sports. Acrobatics is most often associated with activities that make extensive use of gymnastic skills, such as circus, and gymnastics, but many other athletic activities, such as Wushu, ballet and diving may also employ elements of acrobatics. Items in Chinese acrobatics include lion dance, oral stunts, pagoda of bowls, juggling, wire walking etc.

Features:

• Balancing Acts: Includes acts like plate spinning, tightrope walking, and chair balancing.
• Contortion and Gymnastics: Performers often showcase incredible flexibility and strength.

9. Quyi (曲艺)

Overview: Quyi is a general term for various forms of Chinese folk art that combine storytelling and musical performance. It includes genres like storytelling (评书, píngshū), comic dialogues (相声, xiàngsheng), and clapper talk (快板, kuàibǎn). Quyi is a general name for several hundred of speaking and singing art forms. Quyi is profoundly rooted in Chinese time-honored history and culture. In ancient times, both storytelling and comic performances were widespread and popular among not only common people, but also in the palaces and the mansions of nobility. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), many old and new stories were created, some of them were from Buddhist scriptures and some were accompanied by folk songs. During the Song Dynasty (960AD-1279AD), the prosperity of trade and the growth of cities and urban populations speeded up the development and flourish of storytelling and other Quyi forms.

Features:

• Storytelling: Narratives that often include historical events, folklore, and social commentary.
• Music and Rhythm: Performances are accompanied by simple musical instruments and rhythmic clapping.

10. Dynamic Yunnan

Overview: Dynamic Yunnan, also known as the Yunnan Impression Show, is a grand dance musical that depicts the life and culture of ethnic minorities in Southwest China. Yunnan Impression Show, also called Dynamic Yunnan, is a grand and unique dance musical that richly depicts the strong flavor of the life of ethnic minorities in Southwest China. It tells audience about the universe, nature, culture, the pursuit for the origins of life, the praise of life and the wish for everlasting life.

Features:

• Ethnic Diversity: Showcases the traditions and customs of various ethnic groups in Yunnan province.
• Visual Spectacle: Rich in colorful costumes, vibrant music, and dynamic dance performances.

Conclusion

These performances are not just forms of entertainment but cultural treasures reflecting the rich history, values, and artistic achievements of Chinese civilization. They continue to be celebrated and preserved as vital aspects of China’s intangible cultural heritage, offering a window into the soul of the nation.