Traditional Music

An ancient seven-stringed zither beloved by scholars for over 3,000 years, expressing the deepest ideals of Chinese philosophy through music.

A living fossil of Tang Dynasty court music, preserved in Fujian's Minnan region with ancient instruments and elegant melodies.

A majestic wind and percussion tradition from ancient Xi'an, preserving Tang Dynasty court music with powerful drums and soaring suona.

High-pitched folk songs from China's northwest mountains, improvised at annual festivals by singers from multiple ethnic groups.

A grand musical tradition from Xinjiang blending folk songs, dances, and instrumental music — the cultural soul of the Uyghur people.

A breathtaking Mongolian vocal tradition of sustained notes and elaborate ornamentation — the soulful voice of the grasslands.

A breathtaking polyphonic choral tradition from Guizhou — the Dong people's multi-part harmonies sung without instruments.

A mesmerizing overtone singing technique where Mongolian vocalists produce multiple pitches at once, mimicking the sounds of nature.

A 21-string plucked zither beloved across China — from ancient court music to modern concert halls.

China's most expressive bowed instrument — a two-stringed fiddle capable of heart-wrenching melodies and virtuosic technique.

A pear-shaped lute from the Silk Road — one of China's most virtuosic instruments with techniques that paint musical landscapes.

China's iconic bamboo flute with its distinctive buzzing membrane — a bright, versatile voice in every Chinese musical tradition.