Hengshan shadow puppetry: A legendary art of light and shadow

Hengshan shadow puppetry showcases the remarkable talents of its performers through its unique “two-person full package” performance style, where just two artists manage all the acting and singing. Especially captivating is the use of the local dialect in the “siping tune”, known for its mellow and sweet tone.

Drawing inspiration from opera, Buddhist and Taoist melodies, and folk tunes, it is a valuable source of original material in the evolution of Chinese music. Its puppet-making techniques combine paper-cutting, painting, and carving, resulting in vivid, lifelike figures.

Inscribed by UNESCO in 2014 as part of “Chinese Shadow Puppetry”, it remains the only world-class intangible cultural heritage item from Hengyang.

Visit Hengyang in Central China’s #Hunan province and discover the cultural charm behind the art of light and shadow!