The folk art forms mainly include Wenchang, Yugu, Dagu, Linglingluo,
and Tanci. With special Guilin characteristics, these folk
art forms are performed in Guilin local dialect and are melted
with folk songs in South China, Dagu in North China and Tanci
in Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces.
Liu Sanjie is a major performance, which is set in the natural
landscape of Yangshuo, and is directed by the famous Chinese
director, Zhang Yimo. The stage for the performance is composed
of a two kilometer long water area with twelve mountains as
the background. It is the largest natural theater in the world. 
Guilin Arts & CultureFrom opera and drama to folk and dance, Guilin's theaters offer a little something for everyone. If the theatre isn't your idea of fun, try heading to the Guilin Art Museum to see all that this huge museum has to offer.
Gui Opera Gui Opera developed during the Ming and Qing Dynasties and became a popular art form in Guilin and north regions to Guilin. Tourists from Anhui Province introduced the Anhui Tune in Guilin, and the Anhui Tune developed into Gui Tune later. Melting with palace opera of Jingjiang Palace and folk opera introduced by musicians from palace in Ming dynasty, Gui Opera performed in Guilin local dialect then formed with Gao, Kun, Chui, Tan, and Za tunes. In 1950, Bracelet, a show of the Gui Opera by Guilin Gui Opera Troupe had won the second prize in performances and the first prize in performer in China Opera Show. The Legend of Concubine Yao, a new play by the troupe, had been rewarded the Wenhua Prize by China Cultural Administration. Cai Tune Plate Shoes Dance, Zhuang Nationality Zhuang Nationality is original inhabitants in Guangxi. Plate shoes dance is a popular art form in Zhuang Nationality regions. The shoes can be divided into three types: plate shoes for 2, 3 and more persons. It reflects the teamwork spirit of unification to win victories. Gongcheng Tanxi Opera and Dance Lusheng Dance, Miao Nationality Lusheng, a reed-pipe wind instrument, is popular in minority nationalities regions in Southern part of China. A famous saying in Miao Nationality goes like this: one can not resist temptation to dance when he hears the sound of Lusheng. When guests come, boys play the Lusheng and girls dance to welcome guests with the Lusheng dance. Long Drum Dance, Yao Nationality Long Drum Dance is a traditional art form of Yao Nationality. About 2 chi 5 cun ('chi' and 'cun' and ancient Chinese length measurements), Long Drum is made of Yanzhi wood. The drum is thin in the middle with the decorations of flowers, birds, dragons and phoenix patterns on it. Some long drum has bells on both ends and in the middle. When people play the drum, the bells sound harmoniously with the drum sound. It is said that ZaPanKuai was hit to cliff by brutal antelopes. People then began using skin of antelopes to make drum and beat it when dancing to show the hatred to antelopes and the memorization to their ancestors. Folk Art Forms
Li River Ethnic Night The Li River Ethnic Night consists of the Li River Night Cruise and Dancing in the Water Pavilion. The water pavilion is located at No. 2 Dock, Binjiang Road on the west bank of Li River, next to the Li River Yinzuo Ferry in Guilin. Travelers can watch the ethnic performance and then enjoy a cruise along the Li River. Li River Folk Customs Center The Li River Folk Customs Center in Guilin is located where Li River meets the Xiaodong River. Travelers will appreciate the ethnic customs, arts, cuisines and architecture. Enjoying the singing, dancing and performances of the ethnic minorities can be an enjoyable experience. Travelers are sure to find tasting the ethnic delicacies a memorable experience.Liu Sanjie Performance The whole performance lasts for about 60 minutes with a cast of some 600 performers, most of whom are local fishermen. The site of this great performance is about one kilometer away from the West Street in Guilin. Guides at the Center speak Chinese, Cantonese, English and Japanese.
Theater shows are also quite popular in Guilin and along Jiefang Xi Road there are several great locations to enjoy theater. Friday and Saturday nights are the busiest for theater fans choosing watching operatic, acrobatic, variety, or Western oriented entertainment. Guishan Zhi Xiu (The Beauty of Guishan) Huayuan Zhi Ye (Garden Night) Address: Guilin Royal Garden Hotel, No. 186-1 Linjiang Road, Guilin Haohua Zhi Ye (Luxury Night) Address: Art Museum at junction of Jiefang Xi Road and Rong Yin Road, Guilin
Guilin Art Museum The Guilin Art Museum is considered the most complete museum in Guilin and one of the biggest museums in southwest China. Its large collections with backgrounds have enabled it to build a very good reputation, while at the same time contribute to local cultural education and cultural exchange. The museum has collected many famous paintings from the masters of the past to the present day artists. It also periodically holds fine art exhibitions. The Artists Gallery on the second floor of the Guilin Art Museum sells paintings from the artists whose work has been collected by the museum (pieces in other areas are also for sale upon communicating with the artists.) Many of the paintings from these up-and-coming artists are very distinctive in style and will continue to hold value from a collector's standpoint. Separated by artists in China and abroad, Guilin Art Museum enjoys a highly respected position in the field of fine art. It is an ideal place for people from all over the world to appreciate art. NOTE: Although this information is correct at the time of our web publication, it is still advised that you call the phone number and confirm the address before going to the venue because some venues may have changed their telephone numbers or address locations. |