Xiāan Qin Opera and Shadow Play Tour
Tour Overview
The night tour in Xian will start with Qin Opera, a local opera in northwestern China. It is popular in Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai, and Xinjiang. Till today, Qin Opera is the favorite thing for elder people. It can be vigorous and deep, and also soft and sentimental.
After enjoying Qin Opera, watch vivid and interesting Shadow Play. Shadow Play can be called the oldest movie. You will be surprised by the ability of performers who need to operate puppets, play instruments, sing, and talk at the same time. Adults and children both like it.
The last part is Huayin Laoqiang, a kind of opera from Huayin County of Shaanxi Province. From a less-known opera to a unique art form even played on the world stage, the old artists never gave up and made a lot of effort.
Tour Code: XT-033
Travel destination: Xiāan
Suitable for: Art and Performance Lovers, Culture Enthusiasts
Tour type: Private
Highlights of this tour:
- Enjoy ancient storytelling and great music at China’s oldest opera.
- Watch a shadow play performance and the Huayin Laoqiang that can be compared to rock and roll.
- Learn about the long history of the Qin Opera and how it gradually developed and matured during the Qin Dynasty.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Qin Opera & Shadow Play
18:00 -Ā Hotel Pickup:
Meet your privateĀ Xian tour guide at the lobby of your downtown hotel. Your exploration ofĀ colorful cultural landscape in Xi'anĀ beginsĀ now.
18:30 -Ā Arrival at the Theater:
In about 30 minutes, arrive at the theater. The venue is not just a stage; it is the gateway to the ancient art world such as Qin Opera, shadow play and Huayin Laoqiang.
Qin Opera Performance:
As one of the national intangible cultural heritages, Qin Opera has become a major opera type in the early Qing DynastyĀ (1616-1912). But in fact, its history can be traced back to the Western Zhou DynastyĀ (1046-771 BC).
The performance of Qin Opera is rough, bold and unconstrained, full of exaggeration and atmosphere of life. You will appreciate vivid storylines and exquisite costumes. The rich performance skills will also leave you stunned, such as spitting fire, playing with fire sticks, spinning a chairĀ usingĀ teeth, etc. These elements together bring this ancient drama to life.
Qin Opera Show in Xian Shadow Play:
Next, let's step into the world of shadow play. Originating from Shaanxi Province, this is a form of traditional Chinese opera that uses animal skins or cardboard to cut images and perform stories by shining lights on the cut images.
The entire performance is quite lively and interesting, incorporating various elements such as performance, music, art, etc., with manyĀ artistic connotations.Ā These characters dance gracefully to the melody of the opera, telling you fascinating stories.
Shadow Play Huayin Laoqiang:
Huayin Laoqiang is a type of traditional Chinese opera developed based on local folk storytelling art with a history of over 2000 years. This opera is known for its high pitched and rough singing style and highly explosive live performances, and was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2006.
Old artists will use jujube wood blocks to vigorously strike the bench, accompanied by instruments to create a deafening rhythm. This form of music, with one lead singer and many people assisting, is referred to by many foreign audiences asĀ 'China's oldest rock music'.
This unique form of music has inspired generation after generation of musicians to explore the fusion of traditional Chinese melodies and modern elements.
Huayin Laoqiang 19:30 - Return to Hotel:
The whole show lasts for 50 minutes. Transfer you back at 19:30 and you will arrive at your hotel at around 20:00. This is the end of your Xian Qin Opera & Shadow Play tour. Hope you have a deep impression on these Chinese cultural heritages.
Tour Price Per Person
The price varies depending on the activity, number of people, travel date, and selected hotel. Please contact us for a specific price.


