Daoist Music (Wuxi Daoist Music)

Wuxi Daoist music grew from ancient sacrificial music and Ming-Qing ritual liturgy, blending local folk music with Kunqu elements. It has circulated in the Wuxi area for more than fourteen centuries, serving Daoist ceremonies.

It is organized into three types: vocal chants including hymns and pacing-the-void; melodic instrumental music led by a single-skin drum with strings and winds; and percussion ensembles famed for their distinctive instrumentation and routines.

From the late Qing into the Republic, Wuxi nurtured outstanding Daoist musicians, including the renowned folk musician Hua Yanjun (Abing). Wuxi Daoist music entered the second batch of the national intangible heritage list in 2008.