Shandong's county celebrates Peking Opera heritage

Peking Opera – China's most influential traditional opera genre – holds a special place in the hearts of people throughout the country.

That's especially of Linshu county, situated in East China's Shandong province, where the deep-rooted connection with Peking Opera has enriched the lives of residents for decades.

Xubuqian village, for instance, has been promoting Peking Opera-focused cultural activities since 1939, preserving this tradition for over 80 years.

Moreover, starting in 2017, the village stepped up efforts to preserve its Peking Opera legacy by establishing the Peking Opera Art Museum.

This showcases the evolution of Peking Opera culture in the village through physical artifacts, historical texts and captivating photographs. The initiative has drawn visitors from far and wide who are eager to explore this rich cultural heritage.

The low-key front entrance of the Peking Opera Art Museum in Linshu. [Photo by Chen Xiaoting for chinadaily.com]

Another top performer in this regard is Shanli village, which established a Peking Opera troupe in 1941. Currently, the troupe boasts a dedicated team of 43 members and has conducted tours to various destinations within Shandong province – such as Tancheng and Ju'nan counties – as well as to Ganyu district in Lianyungang city, located in East China's Jiangsu province. (Edited by Zhou Yunlai)