Xi Opera, a local traditional drama popular along the line of Huning, Hangzhou, Jiaxing, Huzhou and southern Anhui, is one of the national intangible cultural heritages.
Xiju opera, formerly known as tanhuang, originated from the Narrative Folk Song "Dongxiang Diao" in Wuxi and Changzhou during Qianlong and Jiaqing periods of the Qing Dynasty. Before and after the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, "Dongxiang tune" was integrated with Daoqing, spring singing and xuanjuan, and gradually developed into "tanhuang" in the form of Quyi. Xiju is mainly composed of singing, elegant and lyrical melody, rich life atmosphere, unique charm of Jiangnan Water Town, which provides rich resources for the research of Jiangnan local culture.
