Kunqu opera

Hunan Kunqu Opera is a major local opera in Hunan Province.

During the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, Kunqu Opera was introduced into Hunan Province and evolved to a local opera after a long time. It prevailed in Southern Hunan with Guiyang and Jiahe counties as the center.

Kunqu Opera has rich repertoires, elegant diction, and graceful performances. Kunqu opera had a profound and direct impact on many local operas.

Kunqu Opera enjoys a high reputation in the circle of the world art, and was first recognized by UNESCO as a representative of world-class intangible cultural heritage. Such opera actors as Zhang Fuguang, Fu Yiping and Lei Ling have successively won the Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Drama.

In 2006, Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe has been listed as the main body of national intangible cultural heritage protection.