Kun Opera, formerly known as "Kunshan opera" or simply referred to as "Kunqiang", is an ancient Chinese opera tune and genre, now also known as "Kunju Opera". Kunqu Opera is one of the oldest traditional operas of the Han nationality, and it is also a treasure of the traditional culture and art of the Han nationality, especially the opera art. It is called an "orchid" in the hundred flower garden. Kunqu opera originated in Kunshan, Suzhou, China in the 14th century, and then moved to the whole country through the improvement of Wei Liangfu and others. It has been the leader of Chinese drama for nearly 300 years since the middle of Ming Dynasty.
Kunqu Opera is a combination of singing, reciting, fighting, dancing and martial arts. It is famous for its elegant lyrics, graceful lines and delicate performances. It is one of the southern opera systems known as the "ancestor of all kinds of operas". Kunqu Opera controls the rhythm of singing with drums and plates, with Qudi and Sanxian as the main accompaniment instruments, and its singing voice is "Zhongzhou rhyme".
In 2001, Kunqu opera was listed as "representative works of human oral and intangible heritage" by UNESCO. In 2006, it was listed in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage list. [1] In December 2018, the general office of the Ministry of Education announced that Peking University is the base of Kunqu Chinese excellent traditional culture inheritance