Changshan War Drums

Changshan war drums arose in Zhengding County of Hebei—the ancient seat of "Changshan" and the hometown of the Three-Kingdoms general Zhao Yun—and take their name from it. A folk percussion art combining struck instruments, they form an important representative of the war-drum culture of the Shijiazhuang region together with Gaocheng war drums, their roots said to reach back to ancient military drill and festival processions.

The drums are played by ensembles of large and small drums, cymbals and gongs, with dense beats, crisp rhythm and shifting formations; from dozens to over a hundred performers strike together with a vast, earth-shaking power, mostly performed in plazas at Spring Festival, temple fairs and other major occasions, showing the vigour and bravado of the Yan-Zhao land.

Changshan war drums carry the martial tradition and festival folklore of old Zhengding, an important vehicle for studying how folk percussion met military culture in northern China, and a living part of the old city's culture today.

War-drum performances are often seen at the festivals and temple fairs of the old city of Zhengding.