Guangdong Puppet Theatre

National ICH · Batch 1
Origin

Guangdong puppet theatre, chiefly rod puppetry, is a long-established art of Guangzhou and the Pearl River Delta, often staging traditional opera stories.

The art form

Performers manipulate a puppet's head and hands with rods in time with singing and percussion, giving the figures lively movement and expression in both lyrical and martial scenes.

Cultural significance

Guangdong puppet theatre is national-level intangible cultural heritage and a representative of Lingnan folk opera and puppet art.

Where to experience

In Guangzhou you can watch puppet theatre at a dedicated puppet theatre and at heritage performance events.