​Shaanxi shadow play

Shadow play, also known as "shadow puppetry" or "lighting play", is a kind of folk drama that tells stories via the manipulation of cut-out figures made of animal skins or cardboard. Hidden behind the translucent screen, puppeteers control the shadow puppets and at the same time hum local tunes to tell stories. Accompanied by the sound of percussion instrument and strings, the shadow play has a strong local flavor. Having been spread far and wide, the folk art now has many varieties due to different opera tunes.

Historical records show that shadow play, which boasts a long history, began in the Western Han Dynasty, flourished in the Tang Dynasty, and spread to Western Asia and Europe during the Yuan Dynasty. In 2011, Chinese Shadow Play was included in the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Among various folk art activities held during the Spring Festival is shadow play. And it's worth noting that many kinds of shadow play of Shaanxi were listed as State-Level Intangible Cultural Heritage, which are precious traditional arts that need persistent protection.

Shaanxi local shadow play listed as State-Level Intangible Cultural Heritage

Huaxian Shadow Play

Formed in the early Qing Dynasty, Huaxian Shadow Play, also known as Wanwanqiang Shadow Play (due to its main musical instrument), is an ingenious combination of Chinese folk arts and opera.

Huaxian shadow play has four distinct characteristics: first, amazing shadow carving works, which are generally finely carved from high-quality cowhide; next is the fantastic singing and performance. All characters are played by one performer; third is the superb performers.  The only 5 people in the troupe are expected to play as many as 20 musical instruments, and one performer may operate dozens or even hundreds of shadow puppets; the last one is the impressive comprehensive art level of profound Huaxian shadow play, which is regarded as a masterpiece of opera art.

Laoqiang Opera of Huayin County

Laoqiang Opera of Huayin County is a kind of shadow opera based on the local folk art of storytelling in the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties. The high-pitched vocal sends out the a majestic and bold vibe. The accompaniment music does not apply Suona, but the hardwood clappers (a kind of instrument), which highlights the historical and cultural value of this special art form.

At Huazhou International Shadow Culture Ecological Park in Weinan City, more than 130 international students of Xi'an Jiaotong University, who are from Pakistan, Italy, Ethiopia and Kazakhstan, experienced the intangible cultural heritage of Shaanxi by learning to perform shadow puppet plays.

E'gong Opera Shadow Play

Named after the famous E'pang Palace, the E'gong Opera Shadow Play was derived from the palace music and dance in the Qin Dynasty with a history of more than 2,000 years and is now popular in the north-central region of Guanzhong of Shaanxi Province. The E'gong Opera is neither too deep nor too restless, particularly good at portraying the complex spiritual activities of characters. One telling example is "The Legend of the White Snake", one of the four great folk romantic stories in China, in which the tenderness and romance between Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen are perfectly expressed.

Sites to check out for hands-on experiences

Yisu Theater Cultural Block

Yongxing Fang

Gao's Mansion

Xi'an Shadow Puppet Art Museum